Yaa Asantewa: Slap-Up African Warrior, Liberty Fighter, Anti-Imperialist Together With Queen Woman Nurture Of Edweso
“ Now I watch that some of yous fearfulness to go frontward to struggle for our king. If it [was] inward the brave days of Osei Tutu, Okomfo Anokye, too Opoku Ware, chiefs would non sit down downward to watch their Rex to live taken away without firing a shot. No European could receive got dared beak to chiefs of Asante inward the agency the governor spoke to yous this morning. Is it truthful that the bravery of Asante is no more? I cannot believe it. It cannot be! I must say this: if you, the men of Asante, volition non go forward, too so nosotros will. We, the women, will. I shall telephone telephone upon my swain women. We volition fight! We volition struggle till the lastly of us falls inward the battlefields. ” YAA ASANTWEA, QUEEN MOTHER OF EJISU.
Nana Yaa Asantewa, warrior too corking queen woman parent of Ejisu who led Asantes inward a state of war against the British
Nana Yaa Asantewaa (c. 1840–17 Oct 1921) (pronounced YAH a-SAN-te-WAH) was a warrior, queen woman parent too ane of the Africa`s corking liberty fighters. She was arguably Republic of Ghana too Africa`s greatest fearless woman soul warrior during colonial times. Yaa Asantewa who was the queen woman parent of Ejisu (Edweso) inward the Ashanti Empire—now component subdivision of modern-day Ghana—by her blood brother Nana Akwasi Afrane Okpese, the Ejisuhene—or ruler of Ejisu. In 1900, she led the Ashanti (Asante) rebellion known every bit the War of the Golden Stool against British colonialism when the British Empire after looting Ashanti Kingdom too exiling King of Asante Prempeh I, dared to inquire for their Golden Stool which symbolizes their soul every bit Nation too an ethnic group. She is populary referred to every bit "Africa`s Joan of Arc." When men panic too flee from danger, Yaa Asantewa laughs too aspect it squarely!
From at that spot Asonaba Nana Yaa Asantewaa started mobilising forces to shape a formidable forcefulness against the British inward the inevitable state of war to protect the Golden Stool. However, she had serious problems bringing forces together for ii reasons: a) After arresting most of the paramount too of import chiefs, some of the stools were occupied past times the Governor`s nominees patch others were soundless vacant too with that it was real hard to attain the masses although she travelled extensively inside a real brusk stream of fourth dimension inward lodge to live able to convince all the citizens of the Golden Stool to come upward together too defend the Stool that represents the Unity of the Asanteman. b). The civil state of war that erupted during the contender for the Asantehene betwixt Nana Prempeh too Nana Atwereboana. Some people were form of suspicious with regard to the primary aim of Nana Yaa Asantewaa, particularly the supporters of Nana Yaw Atwereboana.
They could non dismiss the watch that Nana Yaa Asantewaa was so eager to struggle entirely because she wanted to convey dorsum Nana Prempeh too receive got him installed every bit the Asantehene. It is interesting to depository fiscal establishment complaint that Asantes commonly would make everything to protect the Golden Stool but non necessarily the occupants at all times. Eventually she was able to mobilize forces together too on March 30th 1900 at the her Palace at Edweso a War Council was formed. Those who belonged to this War Council were: Nana Kofi Fofie`s a boy primary of Kaase, Nana Kwame Gyansa a native of Bantama, Nana Kwame Afrifa – primary of Atwima, Nana Kwadwo Antwi – Akwamuhene too Captain of the Offinso contingent, Nana Kwame Adum Asamoa`s the famous primary executioner, Nana Osei Kwadwo Krome`s boy of a Bantamahene, Nana Antwi Agyei – primary of Nkawie, Nana Kwabena Nkwantabisa`s primary of Odumase too leader of Adanse, Nana Antoa Mensa of Antoa, Nana Kofi Adu`s primary of Buromfu, Nana Kwaku Nsia`s primary of Asante Akropong too Nana Yaa Asantewaa every bit the commander- in- Chief.
It volition live recalled that it was at this coming together that Nana Yaa Asantewaa made the most convincing speech communication of her life. She addressed the members of the state of war commission every bit follows:
"Brave men of Asante, nosotros are at nowadays faced with a serious confrontation past times the Governor`s extremely provocative demand for the Golden Stool. We should recall that the Golden Stool is non entirely our spiritual backbone but also the religious symbol of the unity of Asanteman. Not quite long agone the white human being came too unilaterally occupied our God-given solid ground too past times forcefulness of arms has declared Asante Kingdom every bit a British Protectorate. We should also non forget that during the fourth dimension of Nana Kofi Kaakari the aggressors waged a senseless state of war on us, destroyed the spot of the Asante monarchy too burnt our Palace after looting all the treasures bequeathed to us past times our fore bearers. Taking our brave men for a ride, the Governor arbitrarily arrested too deported our King with some paramount chiefs without yous men rising fifty-fifty a finger. Aren`t yous ashamed of yourselves? Today he has come upward to demand the Golden Stool. I am asking yous all here, shall nosotros sit down downward every bit cowards too allow these rouges accept away our pride? We should ascension upward too defend our heritage because it is improve to perish than to await on sheepishly patch the white human being whose sole employment concern inward our province is to steal, kill too destroy too shamelessly demand for our sacred Stool. Arise!¦arise, men of Osei Tutu too Opoku Tenten, because I am prepared to atomic number 82 yous to state of war against the white men. I am urging all the WOMEN hither to go habitation too remain behind because WE the MEN are ready for War. Should anyone of yous live afraid to fight; may he live punished for his shameful deed past times the corking Asante god Odomankoma." Interestingly, she was the entirely adult woman at this meeting.
The state of war Council nether the leadership of Nana Yaa Asantewaa too backed past times the chiefs too people of Offinso, Abofuor, Bechem, Nkwanta, Atwoma, Edweso too Kokofu declared total scale state of war on the British with the initial 20.000 armed men. Others who also fought on the side of the Asante Army were Kumase, Duayaw-Nkwanta, Takyimantia, Adanse too Kuntanase. The next U.S. of A. decidedly stayed neutral because the chiefs did non desire to fight:Bompata, Kumawu, Atebubu, Gyaman, Nkoranza, too Bekwae. The next also were non engaged inward the state of war because they had previously gone into some peace damage with the British: Takyiman, Wankyi, Berekum, Wam too manso Nkwanta. Chiefs similar Mamponghene, Nsutahene too Agonahene, who were appointed past times the British fifty-fifty fought on the side of the British. The Dwabenhene, Nana Otuo Serebour l decided to remain neutral too fifty-fifty at ane fourth dimension during the state of war made an sweat to negotiate a cease-fire betwixt the Asantes too the British.
The siege of Kumase began with a march from Edweso too ended at the fort on Apr eighth 1900. Nana Yaa Asantewaa mightiness receive got been inward her 60s when this state of war started. She ordered the incessant bombardment of Pro-British elements inward the Capital Kumase too this compelled the British too other aliens to seek refuge inward the fort. The state of war started Apr through Oct 1900. After the British had run out of ammunition too logistics life became real unbearable for them at the Fort because Nana Yaa Asantewaa ordered that the decease drum should live played everyday for several hours. This psychological fox worked because at that spot were a lot of Asantes at the Fort likewise too they translated the pregnant of the drums to the British. Those Asantes who were non prepared to struggle were afraid to live intimidated too so they all form refuge at the Fort. The most prominent alongside them was the Dwabenhene, Nana Otuo Serebour l too his elders. Because the British had no nutrient too ammunition the constant booming of the decease drum was similar decease to them. According to Lady Hodgson, she at a for sure betoken inward fourth dimension at the Fort wished she was dead because she could non behaviour the audio too the interpretation. According to A. Danqua, ane of the effective strategies used past times Nana Yaa Asantewaa was to stretch the British soldiers too their allies from Nigeria to starvation. She cutting off the nutrient supplies to the Fort too when the European officers too their soldiers found out that their wives too children were starving to decease they were demoralised too real desperate. This strategy proved real effective because Nana Yaa Asantewaa established blockades at every betoken that led to Kumase too appointed diverse War generals to accept help of that. This was real effective because it did non entirely deadening downward the advance of the British soldiers but also toll them manpower.
According to oral tradition, the British soldiers were so hungry that some of them fifty-fifty ate rats. The deadening displace also led to increase inward the decease every bit good every bit suffering of the people inward the Fort. The blockades were some half-dozen or vii feet high too 4 feet inward thickness built of gigantic wood trees solid ground length ways, the interstices filled upward with switch too twigs too brambles too saltation together with telegraphic wires. It had wings to it which extended into the bush on either side too were thus hidden from sight. This technology scientific discipline was said to receive got been the watch of the Army General Antoa Mensa of Antoa. He commanded the bring upward guard regiment which was expeditiously despatched to reinforce the existing forces at the diverse stockades. He was inward the forefront during the siege of Kumase City too finally the Fort. Antoa Mensa was inward accuse of a large contingent consisting of 1.500 men stationed inward Kumase metropolis to shell dorsum whatever endeavor past times the British to rescue the besieged men too women inward the Fort.
Another tactic used past times Nana Yaa Asantewaa was the state of war of deception, the Asantes used pieces of plantains (trees) tied to the rope to divert the attending of the British army. It happened that during the siege at the Fort, the British soldiers peeped through the sniper spot at the fort too shot at the Asante soldiers who were fighting from exterior the Fort. The fox with the trees was so an antidote to that. They cutting plantain trees into pieces, nearly 1.69 metres long too tied them to a rope too threw them on overstep of the thicket roughly the Fort. They would prevarication downward too push clitoris the ropes so that the slice of plantain trapped inward the thicket would crusade some movements which the British mistook for human beings. The British afterward wasted their ammunition too this compelled the Governor to asking for reinforcement too ammunition. It was at this fourth dimension that Governor realised the danger. He sent an SOS to the Coast, requesting for food, medicine too of course of study for reinforcement. In his message he said, "we shall live able to agree out at the most until Wednesday, June 20th 1900. You must acquire inward hither latest past times that date. If this message reaches you, respond straightaway informing me where yous are too when yous tin arrive. You volition soundless receive got to overcome at to the lowest degree ii blockades."
The Governor at this betoken made an sweat to negotiate a cease-fire with Nana Yaa Asantewaa but since he refused to run across the weather she (Nana Yaa Asantewaa) made, the soldiers continued to tighten upward the blockade so that weather for the British soldiers became much unbearable. The weather Nana Yaa Asantewaa made were: a) To convey dorsum Nana Prempeh every bit shortly every bit practicable. b) No Asante should live compelled to make whatever labour too that all the foreigners including the Governor`s representative, should exit Kumase correct away. After a 2nd endeavor for a cease-fire also failed the Governor decided with his soldiers to escape. The Asantes got the data so they decided to modify the route. Nana Yaa Asantewaa too so declared that should they create out to escape, General Antoa Mensa was to go after the Governor too his troops to convey him dorsum dead or alive.
According to oral tradition Nana Yaa Asantewaa made this announcement whilst riding on her Equus caballus with her aspect partly smeared with clay, inward both dark too white colours with her Danish rifle inward her correct mitt too a chopping knife inward her left hand. She paraded the streets of Kumase to give orders too made for sure they were executed with absolute accuracy. She too so went to the Fort too started shouting, "Where are they? Fools!! Why did yous come upward to our solid ground for? You desire our Stool? It is inward my gun so come upward for it." She was so furious that she made the outset endeavor to capture the Fort itself. Their efforts were futile because Captain Marshall, who had nearly 250 Asantes at his disposal fought them dorsum too this caused Nana Yaa Asantewaa too his troops nearly 200 men. These men were later buried inward a volume grave behind the courtroom building, simply contrary the introduce Yaa Asantewaa Fort inward Kumase. With this sense Nana Yaa Asantewaa decided to avoid directly confrontation because the British soldiers had to a greater extent than superior weapons too it was unsafe to engage them inward a directly combat. Meanwhile, the Governor too most of their soldiers every bit good every bit married adult woman too children were soundless kept every bit "prisoners" inward the Fort too life became real bad for them.
Fortunately for them on May 11th 1900, the neutral Asante chiefs who were also inward the Fort managed to negotiate a cease-Fire for some days too the Bristish were able to convey inward some nutrient too medicine. It was soundless forbidden for them to convey inward to a greater extent than weapons. This did non go out because on May 15th Major Morris managed to struggle his agency to Kumase through the Kintampo/Nkoranza stockade, which was nether the command of Nana Kwadwo Antwi of Offinso. Meanwhile the SOS message sent past times the Governor was been heeded to too the British sent a Relief Column through Bekwae. Since Bekwae was fighting on the side of the British it was tardily to come upward every bit nigh every bit Trede, a hamlet nigh Kumase. The British engaged the Asantes inward a directly combat too were so overwhelming that the Asantes lost a lot of their soldiers. Trede was eventually burnt too some of the Asante soldiers were taken every bit prisoners. Lt.Col. Wilkinson was much successful than his colleagues because he was used to bush fighting from his sense inward India.
Some of the Asante soldiers fifty-fifty fled their stockades, leaving behind their ammunition too fifty-fifty their colleagues who were wounded. Victory was inward sight every bit the British started gaining command over the Asante Army. With this the Governor decided to exit Kumase too escape. On the adjacent twenty-four hours the Governor, every bit good every bit Mr too Mrs. Ramseyer, the caput of the Missionaries inward Asante, too most of the aliens inward the Fort left through Patase, heading towards Denkyera too Cape Coast. General Antoa Mensa too his men went after them too were supposed to convey the Governor dead or alive. The General too his men got so unopen to the British too fought the bring upward guard so fiercely that the British dropped their loads inward lodge to live able to select handle of upward with the main troops. General Antoa Mensa too his men made the greatest error they could, instead of going after the British soldiers they stopped to choice upward the loads that fifty-fifty contained coin too ornaments. They watch they would gain to a greater extent than from the spoils. Before they could realise anything the Governor too his people were already gone.
Meanwhile the Governor had already abandoned the watch of e'er getting agree of the Golden stool because they sometimes had to search at 5 places at a fourth dimension too none of the data they had proved reliable. According to Ivor Agyeman Duah, the next people took help of the Golden Stool at dissimilar times, Nana Abamo brought it from Bare to hid it at Wawaase too later on it was taken past times Nana Obuabasa Opoku Mensa to Abuabugya. There were some other hideouts for the Golden Stool that receive got been kept hole-and-corner for all these years. The PINANKO BRETUO FAMILY of Wawaase are real pop alongside those who receive got kept the Golden for several years too nosotros Asantes owe them a lot for that. It volition live recalled that ane of the main reasons why this Yaa Asantewaa War came nearly was the Governor’s intention to accept the Golden Stool with him to London too although the Asantes were losing the War at this stage, the British could non accept the Stool away.
As the British terror of laid on was intensified, confusion too disorder spread through the Asante lines. Through out the state of war the Asantes had non experienced such a mysterious onset too ferocity. Most of the soldiers simply succumb to the British too others ran away. Victory was inward sight every bit the British troops gained command over the Asante army. The gate of the Fort was flung open, too Captain Bishop, Mr Rolf too medico Hay came out followed past times the rest. The Commandant, Col. Wilcox too so entered the Fort with his men on schedule.
The African soldiers inward the British Army dashed into the streets of Kumase too inflicted an unprecedented atrocities on the Asante soldiers who were fleeing, too that was the autumn of Kumase. Asante was humiliated too Nana Yaa Asantewaa reverted to her womanhood. Although Nana Yaa Asantewaa had sometime during the state of war had some skillful moments of control, eventually she has lost too needed a house to hide. According to Osei Kwadwo, inward the dying days of Nov 1900, she left Edweso for Kumase to get down a long refugee march past times route to Sreso Timpoomu, a modest village, nearly 85 kilometres from Kumase, nigh the Mponua-Ahafo border. She initially went to Mehame, inward the Offinso Traditional expanse where her aunt Nana Afranewaa was the Offinsohemmaa but was compelled to exit because the British soldiers were after her. According to Nana Sreso Timpoomuhene, Nana Yaa Asantewaa came with a 10 twelvemonth onetime girl, who was serving every bit her servant. Before reaching Sereso, she stopped at Kunso but the people were scared to maintain her at that spot since the British were searching all over the house for her with to a greater extent than than a M men. She too so proceeded to Mpasaaso too hither the people advised her to go farther to Sereso since the primary at that spot was from the Asona household unit of measurement too they mightiness make all they tin to protect her.
Nana Yaa Kyeiwaa too Nana Agyapomaa hosted her inward their theater at Sereso too the descendants of this household unit of measurement soundless possess some gifts that Nana Yaa Asantewaa left with them. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 few days later she was betrayed past times Kwame Tua too was finally arrested past times the British soldiers. Meanwhile most of the ringleaders of the state of war had been apprehended past times the British police push clitoris too already sent to custody. Notwithstanding her victory inward the war, Her Majesty the Queen of England, considered Nana Yaa Asantewaa, "persona non grata" too the entirely alternative was to exile her to a far away province to ensure the safety of the colonialists inward the country.
On May 17th ,1901, the Queen ordered the deportation of Nana Yaa Asantewaa too xiii Asante chiefs to the Republic of Seychelles Islands. Those who were also deported with Nana Yaa Asantewaa were every bit follows: Nana Kwame Afrifa, Nana Kofi Fofie, Nana Kwadwo Antwi, Kwame Asamoa, Nana Osei Kwadwo Krome, Nana Antwi Agyei, Nana Akwasi Aderi, Nana Kwabena Nkwantabisa, Nana Adu Kofi, Nana Kofi Kuma, Nana Kwame Akroma too Nana Kwaku Berchie. They were conveyed on the carry "DWARKA" past times May 25th 1901. And they were to live made political prisoners on the Islands. They mightiness receive got arrived past times the latter component subdivision of 1901 inward the Seychelles. When they arrived Nana Yaa Asantewaa was made to settle on an estate of nearly 27 acres inward an expanse 2 too a one-half miles from Victoria. She too all the other chiefs were paid monthly stipends or allowances each past times the Gold Coast Government. Nana Yaa Asantewaa fifty-fifty had servants that she was paying monthly salary out of her monthly allowances. Nana Yaa Asantewaa became a converted Christian too fifty-fifty took some lessons to larn the English linguistic communication alphabets. She died on the Islands on Oct 17th, 1921, every bit a outcome of a chronic toothache. She was buried on the Islands. May her Soul Rest inward Peace.
Nana Yaa Asantewaa's Stool stolen past times the British.
The sacred Stool of Nana Yaa Asntewaa disappeared simultaneously with the capture too deportation of Nana Yaa Asantewaa. The people of Edweso were real disappointed over that suspected the British for having seized that for the Queen of England, who according to Governor Hodgson wanted the Golden Stool. The Royals of Edweso were convinced the British had taken Nana Yaa Asantewaa’s stool every bit a reprisal against them for the component subdivision they played inward the war. Meanwhile, the British people could non watch the sense demanding the Golden Stool too Blue Planet condemn Governor Hodgson for what was described every bit a blunder. The argue was that the British were convinced the sacrilegious claim for the Golden Stool did non entirely generate dislike for Her Majesty’s Government but also caused the decease of a number of citizens from both combatants of the war. Although the successor of the Mr Hodgson, Major Nathan too Lady Hodgson made every sweat to shift the blame on Asantes too fifty-fifty tried to say the interpreter who did the translation for the Governor on the faithful twenty-four hours where he claimed the Golden Stool mightiness receive got misinterpreted him, the British people requested a verbatim written report on the durbar at which the alleged claim was done. When this written report was reproduced, it confirmed that the Governor categorically made a sacrilegious demand for the Golden Stool.
In the June fifth 1950 number of the widely read Daily Mirror inward England, Mr W. Edward Hulme, a principal of Disabled Soldiers too Sailor`s Agencies too Supplies(DSSAS), a British organisation, was quoted every bit maxim the he bought the sacred stool for 4 pounds 10 shillings, when he was deployed to maintain Nana Yaa Asantewaa’s palace nether surveillance during the search for her after the war. He was reported to receive got said when he found the stool inward a broom closet he did non believe the stool was valuable but after a unopen await too polishing it he decided to purchase too post it to London.
Now the onetime wooden stool described past times Hulme every bit seemingly valueless had go an thing of State betwixt Mr James Griffiths, the Colonial Secretary too the ruler of Ejisu State, Nana Akwasi Afranie lll the Daily Mirror commented. The paper commented further, "It is the stool of Yaa Asantewaa, the Joan of Arc" of Africa who rallied her people to lay siege on the Kumase Fort 50 years ago. The written report generated a serial of correspondence betwixt the Nana Afranie too the Colonial Office on ane mitt too Mr. Hulme too the Colonial Secretary on the other. The claim past times Mr Hulme that he bought the stool was debunked past times an inscription on a metallic plate found on the stool. This metallic was fixed straightaway after the state of war too bore an inscription “ Taken from the Palace of Nana Yaa Asantewaa at Edweso, Asante, 30th August 1900.
As a outcome of that, Mr Hulme consented to restore the sacred stool to Edwesohene nether the authorisation of Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Prempeh ll, the Asantehene. Subsequently, the Secretary of State sent an invitation to the Edwesohene, requesting him to locomote to England too collect the stool on behalf of his state. In a missive of the alphabet dated 22nd July 1951, the Edwesohene stated every bit a outcome of affliction he has to decline the invitation too requested the Secretary to mitt over the stool to Mr H.R Drewry, a citizen of Edweso who was a resident inward London. After serial of negotiations the stool was finally presented to Messrs. H.R. Drewry too T. Boatin, who represented the Edwesohene, on June 24th 1951 at 4 pm inward London. Also introduce at the presentation were nearly 300 citizens of the Gold Coast, particularly Asantes. After this incident some other magazine, called West Africa requested that the British Government is responsible for the Mr Hulme's theft too should every bit such come upward out publicly to condemn that too at the same fourth dimension homecoming an apology to the people of Edweso too Gold Coast every bit a whole. This was afterward done past times the Secretary for Colonies on August 24th 1951.
Students of Yaa Asantewa Girls
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Nana Yaa Asantewa, warrior too corking queen woman parent of Ejisu who led Asantes inward a state of war against the British
Nana Yaa Asantewaa (c. 1840–17 Oct 1921) (pronounced YAH a-SAN-te-WAH) was a warrior, queen woman parent too ane of the Africa`s corking liberty fighters. She was arguably Republic of Ghana too Africa`s greatest fearless woman soul warrior during colonial times. Yaa Asantewa who was the queen woman parent of Ejisu (Edweso) inward the Ashanti Empire—now component subdivision of modern-day Ghana—by her blood brother Nana Akwasi Afrane Okpese, the Ejisuhene—or ruler of Ejisu. In 1900, she led the Ashanti (Asante) rebellion known every bit the War of the Golden Stool against British colonialism when the British Empire after looting Ashanti Kingdom too exiling King of Asante Prempeh I, dared to inquire for their Golden Stool which symbolizes their soul every bit Nation too an ethnic group. She is populary referred to every bit "Africa`s Joan of Arc." When men panic too flee from danger, Yaa Asantewa laughs too aspect it squarely!
Yaa Asantewa`s statue at Edweso
From at that spot Asonaba Nana Yaa Asantewaa started mobilising forces to shape a formidable forcefulness against the British inward the inevitable state of war to protect the Golden Stool. However, she had serious problems bringing forces together for ii reasons: a) After arresting most of the paramount too of import chiefs, some of the stools were occupied past times the Governor`s nominees patch others were soundless vacant too with that it was real hard to attain the masses although she travelled extensively inside a real brusk stream of fourth dimension inward lodge to live able to convince all the citizens of the Golden Stool to come upward together too defend the Stool that represents the Unity of the Asanteman. b). The civil state of war that erupted during the contender for the Asantehene betwixt Nana Prempeh too Nana Atwereboana. Some people were form of suspicious with regard to the primary aim of Nana Yaa Asantewaa, particularly the supporters of Nana Yaw Atwereboana.
They could non dismiss the watch that Nana Yaa Asantewaa was so eager to struggle entirely because she wanted to convey dorsum Nana Prempeh too receive got him installed every bit the Asantehene. It is interesting to depository fiscal establishment complaint that Asantes commonly would make everything to protect the Golden Stool but non necessarily the occupants at all times. Eventually she was able to mobilize forces together too on March 30th 1900 at the her Palace at Edweso a War Council was formed. Those who belonged to this War Council were: Nana Kofi Fofie`s a boy primary of Kaase, Nana Kwame Gyansa a native of Bantama, Nana Kwame Afrifa – primary of Atwima, Nana Kwadwo Antwi – Akwamuhene too Captain of the Offinso contingent, Nana Kwame Adum Asamoa`s the famous primary executioner, Nana Osei Kwadwo Krome`s boy of a Bantamahene, Nana Antwi Agyei – primary of Nkawie, Nana Kwabena Nkwantabisa`s primary of Odumase too leader of Adanse, Nana Antoa Mensa of Antoa, Nana Kofi Adu`s primary of Buromfu, Nana Kwaku Nsia`s primary of Asante Akropong too Nana Yaa Asantewaa every bit the commander- in- Chief.
It volition live recalled that it was at this coming together that Nana Yaa Asantewaa made the most convincing speech communication of her life. She addressed the members of the state of war commission every bit follows:
"Brave men of Asante, nosotros are at nowadays faced with a serious confrontation past times the Governor`s extremely provocative demand for the Golden Stool. We should recall that the Golden Stool is non entirely our spiritual backbone but also the religious symbol of the unity of Asanteman. Not quite long agone the white human being came too unilaterally occupied our God-given solid ground too past times forcefulness of arms has declared Asante Kingdom every bit a British Protectorate. We should also non forget that during the fourth dimension of Nana Kofi Kaakari the aggressors waged a senseless state of war on us, destroyed the spot of the Asante monarchy too burnt our Palace after looting all the treasures bequeathed to us past times our fore bearers. Taking our brave men for a ride, the Governor arbitrarily arrested too deported our King with some paramount chiefs without yous men rising fifty-fifty a finger. Aren`t yous ashamed of yourselves? Today he has come upward to demand the Golden Stool. I am asking yous all here, shall nosotros sit down downward every bit cowards too allow these rouges accept away our pride? We should ascension upward too defend our heritage because it is improve to perish than to await on sheepishly patch the white human being whose sole employment concern inward our province is to steal, kill too destroy too shamelessly demand for our sacred Stool. Arise!¦arise, men of Osei Tutu too Opoku Tenten, because I am prepared to atomic number 82 yous to state of war against the white men. I am urging all the WOMEN hither to go habitation too remain behind because WE the MEN are ready for War. Should anyone of yous live afraid to fight; may he live punished for his shameful deed past times the corking Asante god Odomankoma." Interestingly, she was the entirely adult woman at this meeting.
The state of war Council nether the leadership of Nana Yaa Asantewaa too backed past times the chiefs too people of Offinso, Abofuor, Bechem, Nkwanta, Atwoma, Edweso too Kokofu declared total scale state of war on the British with the initial 20.000 armed men. Others who also fought on the side of the Asante Army were Kumase, Duayaw-Nkwanta, Takyimantia, Adanse too Kuntanase. The next U.S. of A. decidedly stayed neutral because the chiefs did non desire to fight:Bompata, Kumawu, Atebubu, Gyaman, Nkoranza, too Bekwae. The next also were non engaged inward the state of war because they had previously gone into some peace damage with the British: Takyiman, Wankyi, Berekum, Wam too manso Nkwanta. Chiefs similar Mamponghene, Nsutahene too Agonahene, who were appointed past times the British fifty-fifty fought on the side of the British. The Dwabenhene, Nana Otuo Serebour l decided to remain neutral too fifty-fifty at ane fourth dimension during the state of war made an sweat to negotiate a cease-fire betwixt the Asantes too the British.
The siege of Kumase began with a march from Edweso too ended at the fort on Apr eighth 1900. Nana Yaa Asantewaa mightiness receive got been inward her 60s when this state of war started. She ordered the incessant bombardment of Pro-British elements inward the Capital Kumase too this compelled the British too other aliens to seek refuge inward the fort. The state of war started Apr through Oct 1900. After the British had run out of ammunition too logistics life became real unbearable for them at the Fort because Nana Yaa Asantewaa ordered that the decease drum should live played everyday for several hours. This psychological fox worked because at that spot were a lot of Asantes at the Fort likewise too they translated the pregnant of the drums to the British. Those Asantes who were non prepared to struggle were afraid to live intimidated too so they all form refuge at the Fort. The most prominent alongside them was the Dwabenhene, Nana Otuo Serebour l too his elders. Because the British had no nutrient too ammunition the constant booming of the decease drum was similar decease to them. According to Lady Hodgson, she at a for sure betoken inward fourth dimension at the Fort wished she was dead because she could non behaviour the audio too the interpretation. According to A. Danqua, ane of the effective strategies used past times Nana Yaa Asantewaa was to stretch the British soldiers too their allies from Nigeria to starvation. She cutting off the nutrient supplies to the Fort too when the European officers too their soldiers found out that their wives too children were starving to decease they were demoralised too real desperate. This strategy proved real effective because Nana Yaa Asantewaa established blockades at every betoken that led to Kumase too appointed diverse War generals to accept help of that. This was real effective because it did non entirely deadening downward the advance of the British soldiers but also toll them manpower.
According to oral tradition, the British soldiers were so hungry that some of them fifty-fifty ate rats. The deadening displace also led to increase inward the decease every bit good every bit suffering of the people inward the Fort. The blockades were some half-dozen or vii feet high too 4 feet inward thickness built of gigantic wood trees solid ground length ways, the interstices filled upward with switch too twigs too brambles too saltation together with telegraphic wires. It had wings to it which extended into the bush on either side too were thus hidden from sight. This technology scientific discipline was said to receive got been the watch of the Army General Antoa Mensa of Antoa. He commanded the bring upward guard regiment which was expeditiously despatched to reinforce the existing forces at the diverse stockades. He was inward the forefront during the siege of Kumase City too finally the Fort. Antoa Mensa was inward accuse of a large contingent consisting of 1.500 men stationed inward Kumase metropolis to shell dorsum whatever endeavor past times the British to rescue the besieged men too women inward the Fort.
Another tactic used past times Nana Yaa Asantewaa was the state of war of deception, the Asantes used pieces of plantains (trees) tied to the rope to divert the attending of the British army. It happened that during the siege at the Fort, the British soldiers peeped through the sniper spot at the fort too shot at the Asante soldiers who were fighting from exterior the Fort. The fox with the trees was so an antidote to that. They cutting plantain trees into pieces, nearly 1.69 metres long too tied them to a rope too threw them on overstep of the thicket roughly the Fort. They would prevarication downward too push clitoris the ropes so that the slice of plantain trapped inward the thicket would crusade some movements which the British mistook for human beings. The British afterward wasted their ammunition too this compelled the Governor to asking for reinforcement too ammunition. It was at this fourth dimension that Governor realised the danger. He sent an SOS to the Coast, requesting for food, medicine too of course of study for reinforcement. In his message he said, "we shall live able to agree out at the most until Wednesday, June 20th 1900. You must acquire inward hither latest past times that date. If this message reaches you, respond straightaway informing me where yous are too when yous tin arrive. You volition soundless receive got to overcome at to the lowest degree ii blockades."
Yaa Asantewa`s statue at Yaa Asantewa Girls` Senior High School inward Kumasi
The Governor at this betoken made an sweat to negotiate a cease-fire with Nana Yaa Asantewaa but since he refused to run across the weather she (Nana Yaa Asantewaa) made, the soldiers continued to tighten upward the blockade so that weather for the British soldiers became much unbearable. The weather Nana Yaa Asantewaa made were: a) To convey dorsum Nana Prempeh every bit shortly every bit practicable. b) No Asante should live compelled to make whatever labour too that all the foreigners including the Governor`s representative, should exit Kumase correct away. After a 2nd endeavor for a cease-fire also failed the Governor decided with his soldiers to escape. The Asantes got the data so they decided to modify the route. Nana Yaa Asantewaa too so declared that should they create out to escape, General Antoa Mensa was to go after the Governor too his troops to convey him dorsum dead or alive.
According to oral tradition Nana Yaa Asantewaa made this announcement whilst riding on her Equus caballus with her aspect partly smeared with clay, inward both dark too white colours with her Danish rifle inward her correct mitt too a chopping knife inward her left hand. She paraded the streets of Kumase to give orders too made for sure they were executed with absolute accuracy. She too so went to the Fort too started shouting, "Where are they? Fools!! Why did yous come upward to our solid ground for? You desire our Stool? It is inward my gun so come upward for it." She was so furious that she made the outset endeavor to capture the Fort itself. Their efforts were futile because Captain Marshall, who had nearly 250 Asantes at his disposal fought them dorsum too this caused Nana Yaa Asantewaa too his troops nearly 200 men. These men were later buried inward a volume grave behind the courtroom building, simply contrary the introduce Yaa Asantewaa Fort inward Kumase. With this sense Nana Yaa Asantewaa decided to avoid directly confrontation because the British soldiers had to a greater extent than superior weapons too it was unsafe to engage them inward a directly combat. Meanwhile, the Governor too most of their soldiers every bit good every bit married adult woman too children were soundless kept every bit "prisoners" inward the Fort too life became real bad for them.
Fortunately for them on May 11th 1900, the neutral Asante chiefs who were also inward the Fort managed to negotiate a cease-Fire for some days too the Bristish were able to convey inward some nutrient too medicine. It was soundless forbidden for them to convey inward to a greater extent than weapons. This did non go out because on May 15th Major Morris managed to struggle his agency to Kumase through the Kintampo/Nkoranza stockade, which was nether the command of Nana Kwadwo Antwi of Offinso. Meanwhile the SOS message sent past times the Governor was been heeded to too the British sent a Relief Column through Bekwae. Since Bekwae was fighting on the side of the British it was tardily to come upward every bit nigh every bit Trede, a hamlet nigh Kumase. The British engaged the Asantes inward a directly combat too were so overwhelming that the Asantes lost a lot of their soldiers. Trede was eventually burnt too some of the Asante soldiers were taken every bit prisoners. Lt.Col. Wilkinson was much successful than his colleagues because he was used to bush fighting from his sense inward India.
Some of the Asante soldiers fifty-fifty fled their stockades, leaving behind their ammunition too fifty-fifty their colleagues who were wounded. Victory was inward sight every bit the British started gaining command over the Asante Army. With this the Governor decided to exit Kumase too escape. On the adjacent twenty-four hours the Governor, every bit good every bit Mr too Mrs. Ramseyer, the caput of the Missionaries inward Asante, too most of the aliens inward the Fort left through Patase, heading towards Denkyera too Cape Coast. General Antoa Mensa too his men went after them too were supposed to convey the Governor dead or alive. The General too his men got so unopen to the British too fought the bring upward guard so fiercely that the British dropped their loads inward lodge to live able to select handle of upward with the main troops. General Antoa Mensa too his men made the greatest error they could, instead of going after the British soldiers they stopped to choice upward the loads that fifty-fifty contained coin too ornaments. They watch they would gain to a greater extent than from the spoils. Before they could realise anything the Governor too his people were already gone.
Meanwhile the Governor had already abandoned the watch of e'er getting agree of the Golden stool because they sometimes had to search at 5 places at a fourth dimension too none of the data they had proved reliable. According to Ivor Agyeman Duah, the next people took help of the Golden Stool at dissimilar times, Nana Abamo brought it from Bare to hid it at Wawaase too later on it was taken past times Nana Obuabasa Opoku Mensa to Abuabugya. There were some other hideouts for the Golden Stool that receive got been kept hole-and-corner for all these years. The PINANKO BRETUO FAMILY of Wawaase are real pop alongside those who receive got kept the Golden for several years too nosotros Asantes owe them a lot for that. It volition live recalled that ane of the main reasons why this Yaa Asantewaa War came nearly was the Governor’s intention to accept the Golden Stool with him to London too although the Asantes were losing the War at this stage, the British could non accept the Stool away.
As the British terror of laid on was intensified, confusion too disorder spread through the Asante lines. Through out the state of war the Asantes had non experienced such a mysterious onset too ferocity. Most of the soldiers simply succumb to the British too others ran away. Victory was inward sight every bit the British troops gained command over the Asante army. The gate of the Fort was flung open, too Captain Bishop, Mr Rolf too medico Hay came out followed past times the rest. The Commandant, Col. Wilcox too so entered the Fort with his men on schedule.
The African soldiers inward the British Army dashed into the streets of Kumase too inflicted an unprecedented atrocities on the Asante soldiers who were fleeing, too that was the autumn of Kumase. Asante was humiliated too Nana Yaa Asantewaa reverted to her womanhood. Although Nana Yaa Asantewaa had sometime during the state of war had some skillful moments of control, eventually she has lost too needed a house to hide. According to Osei Kwadwo, inward the dying days of Nov 1900, she left Edweso for Kumase to get down a long refugee march past times route to Sreso Timpoomu, a modest village, nearly 85 kilometres from Kumase, nigh the Mponua-Ahafo border. She initially went to Mehame, inward the Offinso Traditional expanse where her aunt Nana Afranewaa was the Offinsohemmaa but was compelled to exit because the British soldiers were after her. According to Nana Sreso Timpoomuhene, Nana Yaa Asantewaa came with a 10 twelvemonth onetime girl, who was serving every bit her servant. Before reaching Sereso, she stopped at Kunso but the people were scared to maintain her at that spot since the British were searching all over the house for her with to a greater extent than than a M men. She too so proceeded to Mpasaaso too hither the people advised her to go farther to Sereso since the primary at that spot was from the Asona household unit of measurement too they mightiness make all they tin to protect her.
Nana Yaa Kyeiwaa too Nana Agyapomaa hosted her inward their theater at Sereso too the descendants of this household unit of measurement soundless possess some gifts that Nana Yaa Asantewaa left with them. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 few days later she was betrayed past times Kwame Tua too was finally arrested past times the British soldiers. Meanwhile most of the ringleaders of the state of war had been apprehended past times the British police push clitoris too already sent to custody. Notwithstanding her victory inward the war, Her Majesty the Queen of England, considered Nana Yaa Asantewaa, "persona non grata" too the entirely alternative was to exile her to a far away province to ensure the safety of the colonialists inward the country.
On May 17th ,1901, the Queen ordered the deportation of Nana Yaa Asantewaa too xiii Asante chiefs to the Republic of Seychelles Islands. Those who were also deported with Nana Yaa Asantewaa were every bit follows: Nana Kwame Afrifa, Nana Kofi Fofie, Nana Kwadwo Antwi, Kwame Asamoa, Nana Osei Kwadwo Krome, Nana Antwi Agyei, Nana Akwasi Aderi, Nana Kwabena Nkwantabisa, Nana Adu Kofi, Nana Kofi Kuma, Nana Kwame Akroma too Nana Kwaku Berchie. They were conveyed on the carry "DWARKA" past times May 25th 1901. And they were to live made political prisoners on the Islands. They mightiness receive got arrived past times the latter component subdivision of 1901 inward the Seychelles. When they arrived Nana Yaa Asantewaa was made to settle on an estate of nearly 27 acres inward an expanse 2 too a one-half miles from Victoria. She too all the other chiefs were paid monthly stipends or allowances each past times the Gold Coast Government. Nana Yaa Asantewaa fifty-fifty had servants that she was paying monthly salary out of her monthly allowances. Nana Yaa Asantewaa became a converted Christian too fifty-fifty took some lessons to larn the English linguistic communication alphabets. She died on the Islands on Oct 17th, 1921, every bit a outcome of a chronic toothache. She was buried on the Islands. May her Soul Rest inward Peace.
Yaa Asantewa
Nana Yaa Asantewaa's Stool stolen past times the British.
The sacred Stool of Nana Yaa Asntewaa disappeared simultaneously with the capture too deportation of Nana Yaa Asantewaa. The people of Edweso were real disappointed over that suspected the British for having seized that for the Queen of England, who according to Governor Hodgson wanted the Golden Stool. The Royals of Edweso were convinced the British had taken Nana Yaa Asantewaa’s stool every bit a reprisal against them for the component subdivision they played inward the war. Meanwhile, the British people could non watch the sense demanding the Golden Stool too Blue Planet condemn Governor Hodgson for what was described every bit a blunder. The argue was that the British were convinced the sacrilegious claim for the Golden Stool did non entirely generate dislike for Her Majesty’s Government but also caused the decease of a number of citizens from both combatants of the war. Although the successor of the Mr Hodgson, Major Nathan too Lady Hodgson made every sweat to shift the blame on Asantes too fifty-fifty tried to say the interpreter who did the translation for the Governor on the faithful twenty-four hours where he claimed the Golden Stool mightiness receive got misinterpreted him, the British people requested a verbatim written report on the durbar at which the alleged claim was done. When this written report was reproduced, it confirmed that the Governor categorically made a sacrilegious demand for the Golden Stool.
In the June fifth 1950 number of the widely read Daily Mirror inward England, Mr W. Edward Hulme, a principal of Disabled Soldiers too Sailor`s Agencies too Supplies(DSSAS), a British organisation, was quoted every bit maxim the he bought the sacred stool for 4 pounds 10 shillings, when he was deployed to maintain Nana Yaa Asantewaa’s palace nether surveillance during the search for her after the war. He was reported to receive got said when he found the stool inward a broom closet he did non believe the stool was valuable but after a unopen await too polishing it he decided to purchase too post it to London.
Now the onetime wooden stool described past times Hulme every bit seemingly valueless had go an thing of State betwixt Mr James Griffiths, the Colonial Secretary too the ruler of Ejisu State, Nana Akwasi Afranie lll the Daily Mirror commented. The paper commented further, "It is the stool of Yaa Asantewaa, the Joan of Arc" of Africa who rallied her people to lay siege on the Kumase Fort 50 years ago. The written report generated a serial of correspondence betwixt the Nana Afranie too the Colonial Office on ane mitt too Mr. Hulme too the Colonial Secretary on the other. The claim past times Mr Hulme that he bought the stool was debunked past times an inscription on a metallic plate found on the stool. This metallic was fixed straightaway after the state of war too bore an inscription “ Taken from the Palace of Nana Yaa Asantewaa at Edweso, Asante, 30th August 1900.
As a outcome of that, Mr Hulme consented to restore the sacred stool to Edwesohene nether the authorisation of Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Prempeh ll, the Asantehene. Subsequently, the Secretary of State sent an invitation to the Edwesohene, requesting him to locomote to England too collect the stool on behalf of his state. In a missive of the alphabet dated 22nd July 1951, the Edwesohene stated every bit a outcome of affliction he has to decline the invitation too requested the Secretary to mitt over the stool to Mr H.R Drewry, a citizen of Edweso who was a resident inward London. After serial of negotiations the stool was finally presented to Messrs. H.R. Drewry too T. Boatin, who represented the Edwesohene, on June 24th 1951 at 4 pm inward London. Also introduce at the presentation were nearly 300 citizens of the Gold Coast, particularly Asantes. After this incident some other magazine, called West Africa requested that the British Government is responsible for the Mr Hulme's theft too should every bit such come upward out publicly to condemn that too at the same fourth dimension homecoming an apology to the people of Edweso too Gold Coast every bit a whole. This was afterward done past times the Secretary for Colonies on August 24th 1951.
Students of Yaa Asantewa Girls
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