PROJECT REPORTS THE ASHANTI RESEARCH PROJECT RESEARCH REPORT List of Stool Histories (continued from Research Review Vol.1. N o . I. 13. 1. IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 5O 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 6O 61 Sana Stool History Anaminako Stool History Sa.(e and Amoanim Stool Kokofu Stool History Atene Akoten Stool History Gvebi and Banahene Stool History Nkonson Stool History. Kyerema Kobia Stool History Afari Stool History Suame Stool History Anwonomsa Stool History Saamang Stool History Bremang Stool History Bantama Baamu Stool History Obogu Stool History Gyase division of Kumasi Ankobia divison of Kumasi Kyidom division of Kumasi Paramount Stool Ankobia division of Kumasi Kyidom division of Kumasi Gyase division of Kumasi Kyidom division of Kumasi Kronti division of Kumasi Ankobia division of Kumasi Gyase division of Kumasi Gyase division of Kumasi Gyase division of Kumasi Kronti division of Kumasi Oyoko division of Kumasi (now Paramount by Govt. instrument1) Oyoko Brernan Stool History Mentia Stool History Baworo Stool History Boadu Linguist Stool History frsereso Stool History Juansa Stool History Oyoko division of Kumasi Gyase division of Kumasi Kronti division of Kumasi Ankobia division of Kumasi Oyoko division of Kumasi Oyoko division of Kumasi IAS 62 Agogo Stool History IAS 63 Odumase Stool History IAS 64 Mamponten Stool Histoiy IAS 65 Debooso Stool History IAS 66 Dua Kyeame Stool History IAS 67 Achiase Stool History IAS 68 IAS 69 Nanti Stool History Asern Stool History (now Paramount by Govt. instrument) Gyase division of Kumasi (now Paramount by Govt. instalment) Adonten division of Juaben Oyoko division of Kumasi Gyase division of Kumasi Man we re division of Kumasi Gyase division of Kumasi Gyase division of Kumasi 4 Kyidom division of Kumasi ] . See Research Review V o l. I. No. I. for Nos 1 - 40 PROJECT REPORTS 14. IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IAS IA§ IAS IAS 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 Fontomfrom Drum Stool History Omanti Stool History Aboatem Stool History Boakye Yam Linguist Stool Feyiase Stool History Akankade Linguist Stool History Asomfo Stool History Amakum Stool History Anyinase Stool History Asokore Mampong Stool History Akurnaten Stool History Manwere division of Kumasi Kronti division of Kumasi Gyase division of Kumasi Kyidom division of Kumasi Gyase division of Kumasi Gyase division of Kumasi Adonten division of Kumasi Oyoko division of Kumasi Nifa division of Kumasi Kyidom division of Kumasi ASHANTI COURT RECORDS INTRODUCTORY The main problem confronting any student who wants to study the history of African states is that of sources. Recently, however, this problem has been greatly reduced in its magnitude by the use of the work of people in such disciplines as ethno-botany, linguistics, ethonology, anthropology, and the last but the most important of a l l, archaeology. The other principal source is, of course, oral tradition which, according to a recent writer on the subject, includes "formulae including titles and names; poetry; lists including genealogies, tales commentaries, precedents in law" It has, however, occurred to me from the very little work I I refer to court proceedings involving state lands and constitutional have done in connection with the oral traditions of Juaben, that there is yet another very rich source which appears to have been untapped so far. (enstoolment and destoolment) cases. Litigation over state lands and contested successions have been endemic among many African states. From the few proceedings I have studied so far, it is clear that all the people versed in the traditions and the histories of the states or families involved in the case are called upon by both parties to the dispute to give evidence. As these witnesses are usually numerous, these cases go on for months or years and the proceedings often run into many pages. 15. PROJECT REPORT This particular source has many great advantages over the other types of oral literature. First, there are at least two versions of each episode (the Plaintiff's and the Defendant's) and a great deal of argument and cross-examination and the evidence given is usually gone into in great detail. The historian therefore has a great deal of material to play with. Secondly, this particular source can be easily dug up from court records. The third is that the research student has assembled for him the evidence of several witnesses whom he would otherwise have to chase from the town to the village and to the farm.. The last and the most important is that very often most of the key witnesses usually then bowed down with age, wisdom and knowledge are no longer alive and the proceedings thus provide the only key to their usually incredible knowledge of the history and customs of their state. This source has of course its own pit-falls. The most obvious one is how to separate history concocted for the purpose of that particular case from real traditional history. I suppose, however, that evidence from the cross-examination as well as from the other sources, would enable the careful historian to do this. A library of proceedings of land and constitutional cases will definitely be of invaluable service to the student of the early history of most African states.! The Institute has begun to collect certified copies of Cours Proceedings. See 16 for a list of proceedings held in the Institute's Library. PROJECT REPORT 16. SUMMARIES OF COURT RECORDS Serial No Year 1942 Representations to the Chief Commissioner of Ashanti on (a) appeals from the Asantehene's Court In constitutional cases and (b) measures to deal with the increasing incidence of burglary in Kumasi. Undated Accredited office-holders of the Akwamu functional group (called in the Asantehene's records 'clan1) Undated Accredited office-holders of the Gyase functional group. 1955 1952 1955 1955 1955 1937 A Great Oath (the most solemn of Ashanti) case on the grant of Timber Concessions by the chief of Sabronum. A destoolment case involv.ing the chief of Asuonwln: The Asantehene decides that as a general rule a queenmother of a state or any political unit cannot rebel against the chief; that the Abrempong (the major chiefs) under the Asantehene swear allegiance only to him and that therefore he alone is the competent authority to destool such chiefs. An enquiry to determine the rightful successors to Asawuram stool. The settlement of a complaint against the chief about the 'uncustomary' allotment of Ofoase stool lands. The determination of the ligltimate chief makers of Mfensi. Arbitration on complaints of the Akwaboahene (of Kumasi and the overlord) against the Mimhene of Ahafo (sub-chief)on mutual rights and duties. PROJECT REPORT Serial N o. Year 10. 1955 11 12, 13 1955 1948 1957 14, 1955 1959 1952 1932 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 17. Bafour Akoto (Okyeame of the Asantehene) and the Kyidomhene, swear the Great Oath of Ashanti in denial of a publication of a Kumasi daily 'The Ashanti Sentinel' alleging a fist fight (taboo) in the Asanrehene's palace. Arbitration on land dispute between the chiefs of Nyinahin and Akrodie. The Asantehene's decision on the legitimate occupant of the Tuobodom stool. Customary arrangements for the division of land revenue between some Kumasi chiefs on the one hand and on the other, the Mimhene and some other Ahafo chiefs. The Asantehene's definition of Saadwere - a decision on the division of cocoa revenue between the chief and the queenmother of Ahwiriwa. Arbitration on a land dispute between the Efisuhene and the chief of Krapa. A Great Oath case over an Arronie-Sunyani land dispute is settled by arbitration. Enquiry into destoolment charges against the Jasihene. 1930. Judgment on the overlorship of certain persons, 1940 A Great Oath case over the 'ownership' of Kenyasi N o .l (Ahafo) lands is settled in favour of the chief of Kenyasi N o. 1 and against the Akwaboahene. 20. 1942 Decision on the payment of, and the division of, tolls between the Ankasihene and the chief of Asekye-Dumasi. 1. Numbers 21 - 40. in this" series will appear to the next issue of the "Research Review". - Editor.