The
peoples of Africa are often described in terms of their ethnic
background or their languages. There are several thousand ethnic groups in Africa, ranging in physical stature from the short Pygmies to the tall Maasai, each with its own cultural traditions.
Here are only a few of them.
Please
note: Some of the peoples
and associations presented here are so closely related that more than
one topic heading may apply. For example, The Akan people are
given a page of their own, yet the Asante ( Ashanti ) are also an Akan
people, as are the Akuapem. So, a full search for the 'Akan' may
involve looking at pages dedicated to sub-groups as well. Some
sub-group pages may contain only a link or two, but they are still part
of a much larger picture.
You will find a similar relationship among some of other peoples
listed here. This is a case where a little advanced knowledge of
the subject may be an advantage when using these pages.
Art of the Asante Kingdom | Special Topics Page | Timeline of
Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art __ "In the seventeenth century, the
region of West Africa known as the Gold Coast (modern Ghana) was dotted with
several small-scale principalities populated by peoples belonging to the Akan
cultural group. Linked by trade routes, a shared language, and similar belief
systems, these states nonetheless remained separate entities until the early
eighteenth century, when Asante, an inland kingdom ruled by a chief named Osei
Tutu, embarked on a process of territorial expansion that united them as one
kingdom." You will find a wonderful online art exhibit. - illustrated - from
Metropolitan Museum of Art -
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/asan_1/hd_asan_1.htm
Asante Art __ "Here you will find a good article and images of
Asante arts. - illustrated - From African Art Museum -
http://www.zyama.com/asante/index.htm
Asante People __ "The Asante developed a highly centralized, semimilitary government with a paramount chief known as the Asantahene. The
Asantahene, who inherited his position along matrilineal lines, had numerous
chiefs below him throughout the kingdom who acted on his behalf." You will find
material related to religion, politics, history, culture, art and more. - From
University of Iowa -
http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/people/Asante.html
Asante Traditional Buildings - UNESCO World Heritage Centre
__ Brief description
and image. - illustrated - From UNESCO -
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/35
Ashanti Culture __ "The Ashanti live in central Ghana in western
Africa approximately 300km. away from the coast. The Ashanti are a major ethnic
group of the Akans in Ghana, a fairly new nation, barely more than 50 years
old." A good overview of these people. - From Minnesota State University -
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/oldworld/africa/ashanti_culture.html
Ashanti mythology __ A brief overview. "The most important god
in the pantheon of the Ashanti of Ghana is Nyame (also Nyankopon), the
omniscient, omnipotent sky god." - from Wikipedia -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashanti_mythology
Ashanti people __ "The Ashanti (also Asante) are a major ethnic
group from Africa. The Ashanti speak a dialect of Akan. Prior to European
colonization, the Ashanti Confederacy was a major state, particularly during the
period from 1570 to 1900. Ashanti wealth was based on the region's substantial
deposits of gold. The gold deposits led to many metal-working. A golden stool
was said that no one could sit, touch, or even get within a couple of feet
within it. The Stool was some religous related item." An excellent look. -
illustrated - From Wikipedia -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashanti
Society-TWI-(ASHANTI) __ "The Ashanti constitute a political
confederacy or state which developed in the eighteenth and early nineteenth
centuries in the central part of southern Ghana, West Africa (ca. lat. 6
degrees-7 degrees 30 minutes N and long. 0 degrees-2 degrees W)." An essay
covering Ashanti history and culture. - From EthnoAtlas -
http://lucy.ukc.ac.uk/EthnoAtlas/Hmar/Cult_dir/Culture.7880
