Info For You Lot Sefwi People: Ghana`S Release I Agricultural People
The Sefwi (Sanwi) people are Tano-speaking people that shape a subset of the larger Akan ethnic grouping living predominantly inwards western Republic of Ghana too some parts of Cote d'Ivoire (Cote d`Ivoire). The Sefwi were composed of a set out of states, but despite this they remained every bit i community. The iii traditional states or paramountcies that brand upwards Sefwi inwards the extreme due north of the Western Region of Republic of Ghana are Anhwiaso, Bekwai too Wiawso. The Sefwi are Ghana`s set out i cocoa farmers too their soil serves every bit the nutrient handbasket of Ghana; too that contribute towards the proverb inwards Republic of Ghana that "the best comes from the West."
It is bounded on the north-east past times Ashanti (Asante), on the due east past times Denkyira too Wassa-Amenfi, on the due south past times Aowin too on the westward past times the Anyi-Baoule of the Ivory Coast. It also shares a mutual boundary alongside Brong Ahafo inwards the north. All the iii states percentage a mutual dialect Sefwi but almost all the people speak Twi (Akan). In Addition they receive got a mutual tutelary deity, Sobore, too a mutual yam festival – the Alluolie. They celebrate a mutual annual yam festival which is called the Alluolie or Eluo.
Sefwi chief
The Sefwi were vassal states of the Denkyira. After Denkyira was defeated past times Asante, the Sefwi gained their independence but shortly were taken over past times Asante. Sefwi was rich inwards gold, ivory too prophylactic that led to their prosperity.
Sefwi people are also noted for their traditional religious practise which is of Jewish origin. Before Christian missionaries had come upwards to convert much of Republic of Ghana nearly a hundred twelvemonth ago, the Sefwi people followed many "unusual" traditions. Though they were farmers similar most others inwards their region, the Sefwi strictly adhered to a Sabbatum hateful solar daytime of rest.
Sefwi Jews
Community leaders punished members who broke the prohibition against run on the hateful solar daytime of rest, sometimes fifty-fifty past times death. Members of the Sefwi community followed dietary restrictions that forbade them from eating pork. Male community members were circumcised inwards youth; women inwards the community were forced into isolation during their menstrual period, only every bit ancient Jews were according to the Torah.
Jews of Sefwi Wiaso
Language
The Sefwi are Akan sub-group that speak the Akan dialect of Sefwi language. Sehwi (Sefwi) language is a Central Tano linguistic communication of Republic of Ghana which belongs to the larger Niger-Congo phylum. As a resultant of Denkyira too Asante influence, most of the Sefwi people speak Akan Twi.
History
Since the middle of the seventeenth century this vast stretch of territory has served every bit a centre of refuge for people escaping from the political centralization policies of their neighbours to the due north too east. Refugees from Bono-Takyiman Wenchi, Adanse, Denkyira, Assin too Asante found ready welcome inwards this territory. It appears that the Aowin (Awowin) rulers who formerly controlled modern Sefwi territory adopted an opened upwards door policy every bit a mensurate to increase the population of their state. Nor has the influx of people information Sefwi ceased upwards to the acquaint day. Its virgin wood serves every bit a bait for cocoa farmers too timber merchants from all over Ghana.
It is non known for for sure when the shout out Sefwi came to live applied to this area. The etymology of the give-and-take “Sefwi” indicates that the province is of comparatively recent creation. Sefwi is said to live the contraction of the Twi phrase, “Esa awie” or “Esa hie” important “War is over”. It is interesting to banker's complaint that it was solely inwards the early 19th century that the shout out appeared inwards the European records. The firstly shout out of Sefwi, known to the writer, is inwards Bowdich. Before his fourth dimension the early writers referred to the expanse every bit Inkassa, Inkassa Igyina, Great Enkassa or Encasser. In 1819 Bowdich mentioned a province of “Sauee” every bit lying viii journeys westward due north westward from Kumasi. Five years subsequently Dupuis showed ii states Safey too Showy on his map of Wangara. These states were located to the northwest too southwest respectively of Asante. The latter province (Showy) which he placed betwixt the Bia too Tano rivers may live identified alongside Sefwi Wiawso, whilst the erstwhile (Safey), although widely placed off its acquaint location, may represent either Anhwiaso or Bekwai or both. Perhaps the significance of Dupuis’ map lies inwards the fact that for all the fourth dimension Sefwi has been known to incorporate of to a greater extent than than i independent state.
Both written too oral show dot that until the ascension of the Akan states of Denkyira too Asante the most powerful province inwards the southwestern part of Republic of Ghana was Aowin. It was non until the in conclusion ii decades of the 17th century that Denkyira succeeded inwards bringing Aowin nether its rule. Even so the Denkyira victory did non much touching on the ability of Aowin since all that the victorious ability was interested inwards was to obtain costless passage for its traders to too from Aowin too to collect it annual tribute. The show would seem to advise that past times the cease of the 17th century Aowin had non solely regained its erstwhile ability but had embarked on a policy of economical too political expansion which was to convey it human face upwards to human face upwards alongside the rising ability of Asante inwards the 1710’s. Its command over the sources of gilded too the merchandise routes to the northern marketplace seat of Begho too the coastal town of Apollonia was i of the causes which led to the Asante-Aowin War of 1715. By the starting fourth dimension of the 18th century the wars alongside Denkyira too Asante had led to a loss of much of Aowin territory to the westward of the Tano to many of the Twi-speaking people from the east. Although the novel immigrants were victorious inwards the wars, they seemed to receive got lost their language, which at nowadays is so heavily overlaid alongside the dialect of the Aowin every bit to homecoming it virtually incomprehensible to the other Twi speakers. In spite of their linguistic affinity alongside the Aowin, real few people inwards the iii states of Sefwi may live said to receive got remotely straight originated from the Aowin. Among such towns are Bonzan (Moinsea), DaTano, Benchema, Kwodwokrom, too portion of Bodi. Although they do non consider themselves to live Aowin, in that location is no uncertainty that they were in i lawsuit a portion of or nether the Aowin.
Phases of Settlement
One of the problems of the researcher into the history of Sefwi is how to create upwards one's heed the diverse phases of settlements too migration. This work is made to a greater extent than hard past times the incessant soil succession disputes too litigation amidst the iii paramount stools on the i hand, too betwixt the paramount stools too some of the divisional chiefs on the other. All are even so agreed that the Anhwiaso province was the firstly of the iii to live established. Bordering on Asante to the northeast, it is most likely that this was the state, which was known to Dupuis every bit Safey. The traditions of many of the towns of Anhwiaso delineate their master copy homes to southern Asante too to Brong Ahafo. The most of import of these towns is Wenchi, the shout out of which is, at times, used to push clit the whole of the Anhwiaso traditional area. Now ruled past times members of the Asona clan who delineate the abode of their lineage to Ansa inwards Adanse, Wenchi appears to receive got been founded past times people from Brong Ahafo. It is interesting to banker's complaint that the Asona of Kesekrom too Ahibenso inwards the Wiawso expanse who claim to receive got come upwards from Anhwiaso Wenchi, emphatically assert that their master copy abode was inwards Wenchi inwards Brong Ahafo. There is plenty circumstantial show to present that people from Wenchi inwards the Bono-Takyiman expanse may receive got founded Anhwiaso Wenchi too named it after their old home. This is partly evidenced past times the similarities inwards the yam festival of the ii towns too partly past times the traditions of Bono Wenchi which assert that early inwards the reign of Osei Tutu the Asante sacked too destroyed their old capital, Ahwene Koko. As a resultant of the destruction, the tradition continues, many of their people moved too settled inwards Sefwi, Aowin too Nzema areas. It is most likely that many of the refugees from Ahwene Koko moved into Anhwiaso Wenchi, the master copy founders of which mightiness receive got been related to them. Now enjoying the condition of a divisional main (the Benkumhene) to the Anhwiaso Omanhene, Wenchi has for a long fourth dimension disputed the claim of the Adum-Aduana of Anhwiaso to occupy the paramount stool. To Wenchi the Adum-Aduana are usurpers. According to the Asona traditions of Wenchi they lost virtually all the manlike mortal royals of their clan every bit a resultant of wars alongside their neighbours. In monastic enjoin that the necessary customary rites would live regularly performed they entrusted the custody of the stool to i Nipa Panyi, the eldest of the stool sons. Until that catamenia their sons of the Aduana clan were the principal province executioners (Adumfo). Unfortunately for the Asona it took them a long fourth dimension to live able to acquire a manlike mortal royal capable of occupying the stool. But because of this long catamenia of regency, too the honey of the ability which their sons had wielded they refused to paw over the stool to them too thereby, made permanent an organization which had been intended to live temporary.
The confusion inwards the Anhwiaso province is made worse past times the existence of ii competitor groups of Aduana each claiming to live the rightful rulers. The main of Chirano, who is said to live the caput of the Aduana clan inwards Anhwiaso, too whose branch of Aduana is collectively known every bit the Sawua, maintains that the Adum-Aduana receive got worked themselves into a seat which had formerly been occupied past times them. The Sawua claim that they in i lawsuit lived at old Wenchi alongside the Asona, alongside whom they were solely separated past times a brook. Both the Adum-Aduana too the Sawua people hold that they are autochthonous. Whilst the erstwhile assert that they brought their stool from their old abode at Old Anhwiaso, where they emerged from a hole inwards the ground, the latter also claim that their ancestors emerged from a hole at a seat nigh old Wenchi. It appears that the claims of both the Sawua too the Adum-Aduana are mere rationalizations to back upwards a seat which the Aduana receive got come upwards to occupy non past times correct but past times force.
The traditions of Sefwi Bekwai assert that the Anhwiaso people were already settled inwards their acquaint territory when they arrived there. Perhaps because of the smallness of their number, Bekwai was non prepared to combat it out to capture soil from the master copy settlers. This may explicate why it is the smallest of all the iii states. The Ekoona of Bekwai who occupy the Omanhene’s stool, claim to receive got emigrated from Adanse, where they belonged to the royal household unit of measurement at Fomena. Owing to household unit of measurement disputes they moved away. First passing through Denkyira, Wassa too Nzema they were subsequently granted soil nigh the Sobore River past times Obumankoma, main of Agona inwards Wassa Amenfi, too so a vassal of the powerful Aowin king. Sometime inwards the 18th century the strained human relationship betwixt Bekwai too Wiawso, who had lately arrived inwards the area, led to a nation of war inwards which Bekwai was forced to pick out refuge inwards Asante. They were however, subsequently granted soil past times the Anhwiaso stool, thank you lot to the intercession of the Asantehene.
The history of Sefwi Wiawso is closeiy connected alongside Asante-Awowin relationship. Of all the iii states Wiawso appears to receive got been the i which was much to a greater extent than straight influenced past times developments inwards the Asante majuscule – Kumasi. Indeed the show seems to advise that the vast tract of territory which Wiawso came to command was obtained alongside the aid of the Asante whom they faithfully supported after the Asante-Denkyira War. Like the other states, many of the people inwards Wiawso delineate their origins to Asante too Denkyira. Here the of import clan is ‘Asankera’ which occupies the paramount stool. The beginnings of the small town of the Twi-speaklng people inwards Wiawso may live traced to the ascension of Denkyira to ability betwixt 1640 too 1660. Reluctant to submit to Denkyira rule, some members of the Asakyiri clan left Adanse Akrokeri too eventually settled a few miles westward of the Tano at a seat known every bit Bauko. Together alongside the Agona rulers of Bonzan, which had in i lawsuit been a powerful Aowin out-post, the Asakyiri of Bauko, succeeded inwards despoiling Aowin of much of its soil lying betwixt the Bia too the Tano. But the catamenia of Bauko dominion inwards this expanse was shortly to live cutting brusque during the in conclusion stage of Denkyira majestic drive towards the cease of the 17th century. From nearly the 1680′s refugees from Wassa too Twifo came pouring into the expanse to avoid beingness brought nether Denkyira rule. It was at this fourth dimension that the modern province of Wiawso was established. It appears however, that for some fourth dimension in that location existed a mutual working human relationship betwixt the Asakyiri of Buako too the novel Asankera people who had lately arrived from their erstwhile abode nigh Asankaragua, inwards the Wassa Amenfi area.
The foundations of the modern province of Wiawso are associated alongside ii early rulers, Obumankoma too Nkoa I. Tradition has it that it was Obumankoma who led the migration of the people from Wassa Amenfi to their firstly small town at Bosomoiso, past times the Sobore. It is non known whether it was the fearfulness of Denkyira which urged Obumankoma on to motion westwards. Not long after his small town at Bosomoiso, however, the always victorious armies of Boa Amponsem I of Denkyira overran the novel settlement. Obumankoma in i lawsuit once to a greater extent than moved too founded his majuscule at the strategically superior site on top of the colina where the modern town, Wiawso, stands. By correlating traditional alongside documentary show i may live able to works life the catamenia of the foundation of both the Wiawso town too state.
It is traditionally remembered that real early inwards his reign, Nkoa I, the minute ruler of Wiawso, was presented alongside the Etwie drum past times Boa Amponsem. Although Wiawso traditions push clit this every bit commutation of gifts, yet it appears that past times accepting this all of import drum from Boa Amponsem, Nkoa was acknowledging his vassalage to Denkyira. Boa Amponsem is known to receive got died inwards 1692. It is hence highly likely that Nkoa mightiness receive got been enstooled roughly 1691. If Nkoa was the minute ruler every bit Wiawso traditions assert, too so it is most likely that the foundation of Wiawso province goes dorsum non before than the 1680′s or belatedly 1670′s. It is most likely that the Asante shortly followed the victory over Denkyira alongside the capture of Wiawso too Bekwai. Asante traditions hold that the defeat of Sefwi took seat at the fourth dimension of Osei Tutu. From all appearances, the Sefwi shortly learned to adjust themselves to their novel situation. This enabled them to play a leading purpose inwards the Asante drive towards the southwest inwards the 1710′s. Nkoa I (Ntwan) whom the Europeans mistakenly seat every bit manlike mortal monarch of Wassa, instead of Wiawso, was known to receive got played a leading purpose In the Asante-Aowin War when the Asante forces nether General Amankwatia carried all before them to Apollonia inwards 1715. In the Sefwi Wiawso people the Asante found brave too willing allies competent to guard their southwestern frontiers against Aowin. It mightiness live due to Nkoa’s services to the Asante inwards the nation of war that Wiawso was allowed to annex much of the soil westward of the Tano, which had formerly belonged to the Aowin. It is important to banker's complaint that the traditions of Wiawso push clit Nkoa I every bit the warrior manlike mortal monarch too credit him alongside the conquest of Aowin too the extension of their territory to much of its acquaint frontiers.
Sefwi too Their Neighbours
Whatever the intentions of the founders of the Sefwi province inwards moving westwards from the centre of Akan politics, they shortly learned that ‘War is non yet over” every bit they had hoped. They had to combat alongside some of their neighbours over soil or combat wars for their allies too overlords. In spite of the traditions of early settlements inwards Wassa soil past times both the Bekwai too Wiawso states, their relations alongside the erstwhile shortly deteriorated. It is said that Obumankoma of Wiawso defeated Wassa (presumably Amenfi) belike towards the cease of the l680′s. Wiawso hegemony over Wassa could non receive got lasted long because Obumankoma was himself defeated past times Boa Amponsem. To the catamenia of Denkyira overlordship inwards Wiawso may live traced the influx of the large set out of Denkyira immigrants, every bit testified past times the many stools occupied past times people of the Agona clan. Indeed, Denkyira political institutions were greatly copied past times Wiawso. It is interesting to banker's complaint that ii of the most warlike towns, Amenfie too Bodi, delineate their origins to this period. Although most of the stools interviewed inwards this expanse tried to play downward their subjection to Denkyira, in that location is plenty show from their nation of war songs which lends back upwards to the early stage of Denkyira dominance. It is non unlikely that Nkoa I of Wiawso, similar Osei Tutu of Asante, learned much from the military machine tactics too political organization of Denkyira.
It was non solely the Wiawso province but Bekwai too Anhwiaso also came nether Denkyira rule. The traditions of the in conclusion mentioned province handgrip that they were in i lawsuit overran past times latter ability patch most of their able-bodied men were away to nation of war alongside their northern neighbours. By the cease of the 17th century the Denkyira Earth forces nether their fearful general, Agya Ananse Obooman, had carried their arms to every bit far westward every bit the Bia too due south westwards to convey Aowin nether their rule.
As Bosman too the other European observers reported, all the erstwhile tributary states of Denkyira were anxious for its downfall because Denkyira dominion tended to live harsh. Indeed it is known that most of the tributary states overtly supported Asante. To them the Asante nation of war of liberation would also win them their independence. Unlike Akyem Abuakwa, footling did they realize that Asante which had objected to Denkyira rule, was itself embarking on an majestic drive. It was peradventure alongside a stance to gaining the confidence of the Asante that Anhwiaso at nowadays transferred its allegiance to Asante after 1701. It is non for sure when too why Wiawso too Bekwai came nether Asante rule. If the information collected past times Bowdich at the starting fourth dimension of the 19th century is to live believed too so the defeat of Wiawso shortly followed that of Denkyira. It is known that Osei Tutu’s General Amankwatia, conquered “Sawee Bomancumma”. By 1700, however, Obumankoma was dead too had been succeeded past times Nkoa. Any Asante nation of war against Sefwi too so would live against Nkoa but non Obumankoma. It is interesting to banker's complaint that inside less than a decade too a half, Nkoa I had so successfully adapted himself to the changed political province of affairs every bit to play a prominent purpose inwards the Asante-Aowin War of 1715. Nor could Anhwiaso save its friendly relations alongside Asante for long. In 1715, Amankwatia’s Earth forces on its way to Apollonia overran its majuscule too thus completely reduced Anhwiaso to a tributary status. Perhaps the purpose played past times the Bantamahene Amankwatia inwards bringing these states completely nether Asante dominion explains why Wiawso too Anhwiaso served the Asantehene through the Bantamahene.
Throughout the catamenia betwixt 1715 too 1887, when Sefwi finally came nether the British, Asante maintained its dominion inwards the area. By the reign of Osei Kwadwo, Asante ability had stretched further westwards into portion of the Anyi-Baule part of the Ivory Coast. The whole of modern Sefwi had been brought nether Asante dominion past times the 1770′s, when Osei Kwadwo is said to receive got defeated the erstwhile Aowin principality of Bonzan. Bonzan traditions handgrip that they came nether Sefwi Wiawso at the proposition of the Asante. To pacify the erstwhile powerful Bonzan Wiawso agreed to brand it the Krontihene of the state.
One of the mysteries inwards Sefwi history is its human relationship alongside Ebiri Moro. Fuller, without citing his source of information, asserts that i Ebiri Moro, King of Sefwi, sacked Kumasi when the Asante armies were gone to nation of war against Akyem. This happened according to Fuller, during the reign of Opoku Ware. It is interesting to banker's complaint that none of the chiefs interviewed could tell of Ebiri Moro’s identity. Perhaps i may combat that since his actions brought the province into disrepute the Sefwi people receive got deliberately struck out his shout out from the manlike mortal monarch lists. I am inclined to believe that no such an travail has been made. Judging from the intense rivalry amidst the paramount stools, it is non unlikely that i of them would receive got shown who Ebiri Moro was every bit long every bit he was non connected alongside their stool. All the available information, however, makes Ebiri Moro either a ruler of Ahafo or Aowin. Indeed, Wiawso traditions assert that it could non receive got been a ruler of Sefwi since they were at that fourth dimension fighting alongside the Asante army.
Nor do the 19th too early 20th century traditions collected associate him alongside Sefwi. Reindorf asserts that Ebiri Moro was the ruler of Parana too that Amankwatia fought too defeated Obumankoma too non Ebiri Moro. Kumawu traditions collected past times Rattray inwards the 1920′s associate Ebiri Moro alongside Wassa. Judging from Sefwi relations alongside Asante at the starting fourth dimension of the 18th century, it is hard to believe that they would receive got been bold plenty to receive got carried an assault to the majuscule of their overlord. It appears that the historian interested inwards finding to a greater extent than nearly this mysterious Ebiri Moro must search for him inwards the Aowin states which are inwards both Republic of Ghana too the Cote d'Ivoire or inwards the Bono Takyiman-Wenchi area.
Social too Political Organisation
With the influx of people from many parts of the soil specially from Adanse which is known to live the firstly organized Akan province “from which other states learned the fine art of government”, the social too political systems of Sefwi receive got been much influenced past times the immigrants. The acquaint basic social construction may live said to live the super imposition of the highly developed pure Akan clan scheme on i which had hitherto been organised primarily roughly living quarters too inwards Asafo or warrior companionship groups. The effect on the whole has non been a real satisfactory marriage. This explains the confusion nearly the diverse clans who claim to live eligible to occupy of import stools. In Anhwiaso too Wiawso it appears that the struggles betwixt the diverse clans are primarily due to the unsuccessful merger of the ii dissimilar institutions i.e. the pure Akan clan scheme on the i hand, too the Aowin-Bono scheme on the other.
Nowhere is this province of affairs every bit pronounced every bit inwards the Wiawso state. There the clan inwards which the paramount stool is vested is known every bit the Asankera. One would aspect that all the members of this grouping would belong to i known Akan clan group. But far from it, There are, at least, iii different clans who claim to belong to the Asankera group. The acquaint Omanhene of Wiawso, for instance, asserts that he is of the Oyoko clan, patch Buako too Asafo which are also Asankera are of the Asakyiri too Bretuo clans, respectively. In the Anhwiaso expanse peradventure the origins of the struggles betwixt the Asona of Wenchi on the i hand, too the Adum-Aduana too the Aduana (Sawua) on the other, stalk from a similar unsuccessful organization of merging clans alongside living quarters.
In the political sphere, however, most of the Akan institutions receive got been easily adopted. The politico-military sectionalisation of the province into the left, right, too vanguard wings each nether a leader who led his men inwards fourth dimension of nation of war too administered the sectionalisation inwards peace-time is a mutual characteristic of the Sefwi constitution. Also all the states receive got such purely administrative posts every bit the Kronti, Akwamu, Gyaase, Ankobea, too a host of others which are mutual alongside all the other Akan states. In spite of these arrangements, however, it appears that, alongside the exception of a few of import stools inwards some places the all of import portion of the queen-mother was unknown or her purpose was relegated to an inferior status.
Economy
Like most of the wood states of West Africa Sefwi’s economic scheme was based on trade. Gold mining too panning every bit good every bit ivory hunting were ii of the most of import occupations. Gold too ivory were exchanged for manufactured goods.
Sefwi cocoa farmers
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 town similar Bonzan (when translated the shout out agency the river which spits out gold), owed its fame too importance to its gilded industry. Gold from Sefwi too other Aowin towns was regularly sent to Begho to the due north too to the European forts at the coast.
The road connecting Kumasi to Sefwi was i of the of import arteries of merchandise at the starting fourth dimension of the 19th century. Towards the cease of the 19th century when prophylactic became i of the principal items of merchandise inwards the wood part of Ghana, Sefwi appears to receive got been active inwards the tapping of rubber. The abundance of both the tree, Funtumia elastica, too the vine, Landolphia Owarensis, inwards the expanse greatly made prophylactic exploitation a lucrative business for the people. It was undoubtedly during this catamenia of prophylactic smash that Debiso inwards Sefwi became an of import stopping seat too marketplace seat centre for people who journeyed to Kankyaabo (Krinjabo) too other places inwards modern Ivory Coast. While it may non live denied the importation of European manufactured goods, specially Fe implements helped to brand possible this economical exploitation, Sefwi too its immediate neighbourhood had had traditions of Fe working going dorsum to the pre-European period. To both Denkyira too Sefwi the Fe working towns of Tonsuosim (Maudaso) past times the Bia, too Bopa-Piri, past times the Tano had long provided the much needed hoes too machetes (adre), for the exploitation of the forest.
Sefwi girl
Festivals too Traditional Deities
As was pointed out before on all the iii states of Sefwi percentage a mutual civilization inwards spite of the fact that they all came from different places. They percentage a mutual dialect, Sefwi, receive got a mutual Yam Festival, Alluolie, too a mutual deity, Sobore. Although the Sefwi dialect is grouped alongside other Akan languages, it is by too large unintelligible to the other Akan speakers. Linguistically the incoming Akans from the due east too other regions receive got had their linguistic communication real much overlaid alongside the Aowin-Bono dialect. Now Sefwi shares this mutual dialect, alongside the Aowin, Nzema too Anyi-Baule inwards the Ivory Coast.
In their mutual yam festival,the Alluolie,they celebrate the cease of the farming year, too offering nutrient too drinks to their ancestors – a practise which is non dissimilar from the Ohum too Odwira festivals of the Akans. On the other paw the minute festival, the Alie, is non celebrated past times all the stools, but solely past times members of the Asona clan inwards the iii states. The importance of this festival lies peradventure inwards the fact that it serves every bit i of the solely connecting links betwixt the ii Wenchis of Bono too Sefwi. Formerly celebrated solely inwards Wenchi, but non taken upwards past times the Omanhene of Anhwiaso too such places every bit Chirano, Subiri too Kesekrom, it has much inwards mutual alongside the celebration of the annual Apo festival of Wenchi inwards the Bono states. In both the Alie too the Apo nutrient which is cooked for the ancestors is placed at the outskirts of the town too merry-making women trip the lite fantastic upwards too downward the streets at times exposing their naked but good decorated bodies to the onlookers.
Sefwi students dancing traditional dance
Religion
In the worship of the tutelar deity Sobore, the iii states also receive got a mutual identity. The deity is supposed non solely to protect the states from all calamities but it is also a fertility god. Admittedly each province had its ain shrine too priests but inwards all essentials the method of worshipping is similar. It appears that the Sobore predates the establishment of the modern Sefwi state. This may explicate why solely the local dialect too non Twi too solely locally made vino from the raffia palm are used inwards worshipping Sobore. It is highly likely that the worship of this flow Sobore, was taken over from the Aowin.
Tourism Potential
Tree of God (Nyame Dua)
It is located at Nyamebekyere, a distance of nearly 5km from Sefwi Wiawso. It is said that nearly i hundred too 50 (150) years ago, a farmer struck a machete into the stump of the tree which is soundless visible inwards the torso of the tree. Today the torso of the tree is completely surrounded past times the machete.
Abombirim Sacred Tortoise Forest
It is located at Sefwi Boako, a 21km distance away from the municipal capital. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 sacred wood is preserved inwards which a giant tortoise lives. It is believed hen i picks the tortoise, in that location turns to live total darkness inwards the forest. Until such a fourth dimension that the tortoise is left for lite to re-appear, i volition non live able to divulge a way out of the forest.
Ancestral Hole
It is at Bosomoiso nearly 4km away from Sefwi Wiawso. It is believed that the royal household unit of measurement of the said community originated from this hole. It is believed to live a bottomless hole. It is surrounded past times trees but no leafage falls into it. The hole is alleged to receive got healing powers.
Sefwi cocoa farmer belongings her handbasket of cocoa
It is bounded on the north-east past times Ashanti (Asante), on the due east past times Denkyira too Wassa-Amenfi, on the due south past times Aowin too on the westward past times the Anyi-Baoule of the Ivory Coast. It also shares a mutual boundary alongside Brong Ahafo inwards the north. All the iii states percentage a mutual dialect Sefwi but almost all the people speak Twi (Akan). In Addition they receive got a mutual tutelary deity, Sobore, too a mutual yam festival – the Alluolie. They celebrate a mutual annual yam festival which is called the Alluolie or Eluo.
Sefwi chief
The Sefwi were vassal states of the Denkyira. After Denkyira was defeated past times Asante, the Sefwi gained their independence but shortly were taken over past times Asante. Sefwi was rich inwards gold, ivory too prophylactic that led to their prosperity.
Sefwi people are also noted for their traditional religious practise which is of Jewish origin. Before Christian missionaries had come upwards to convert much of Republic of Ghana nearly a hundred twelvemonth ago, the Sefwi people followed many "unusual" traditions. Though they were farmers similar most others inwards their region, the Sefwi strictly adhered to a Sabbatum hateful solar daytime of rest.
Sefwi Jews
Community leaders punished members who broke the prohibition against run on the hateful solar daytime of rest, sometimes fifty-fifty past times death. Members of the Sefwi community followed dietary restrictions that forbade them from eating pork. Male community members were circumcised inwards youth; women inwards the community were forced into isolation during their menstrual period, only every bit ancient Jews were according to the Torah.
Jews of Sefwi Wiaso
The Sefwi are Akan sub-group that speak the Akan dialect of Sefwi language. Sehwi (Sefwi) language is a Central Tano linguistic communication of Republic of Ghana which belongs to the larger Niger-Congo phylum. As a resultant of Denkyira too Asante influence, most of the Sefwi people speak Akan Twi.
History
Since the middle of the seventeenth century this vast stretch of territory has served every bit a centre of refuge for people escaping from the political centralization policies of their neighbours to the due north too east. Refugees from Bono-Takyiman Wenchi, Adanse, Denkyira, Assin too Asante found ready welcome inwards this territory. It appears that the Aowin (Awowin) rulers who formerly controlled modern Sefwi territory adopted an opened upwards door policy every bit a mensurate to increase the population of their state. Nor has the influx of people information Sefwi ceased upwards to the acquaint day. Its virgin wood serves every bit a bait for cocoa farmers too timber merchants from all over Ghana.
It is non known for for sure when the shout out Sefwi came to live applied to this area. The etymology of the give-and-take “Sefwi” indicates that the province is of comparatively recent creation. Sefwi is said to live the contraction of the Twi phrase, “Esa awie” or “Esa hie” important “War is over”. It is interesting to banker's complaint that it was solely inwards the early 19th century that the shout out appeared inwards the European records. The firstly shout out of Sefwi, known to the writer, is inwards Bowdich. Before his fourth dimension the early writers referred to the expanse every bit Inkassa, Inkassa Igyina, Great Enkassa or Encasser. In 1819 Bowdich mentioned a province of “Sauee” every bit lying viii journeys westward due north westward from Kumasi. Five years subsequently Dupuis showed ii states Safey too Showy on his map of Wangara. These states were located to the northwest too southwest respectively of Asante. The latter province (Showy) which he placed betwixt the Bia too Tano rivers may live identified alongside Sefwi Wiawso, whilst the erstwhile (Safey), although widely placed off its acquaint location, may represent either Anhwiaso or Bekwai or both. Perhaps the significance of Dupuis’ map lies inwards the fact that for all the fourth dimension Sefwi has been known to incorporate of to a greater extent than than i independent state.
Both written too oral show dot that until the ascension of the Akan states of Denkyira too Asante the most powerful province inwards the southwestern part of Republic of Ghana was Aowin. It was non until the in conclusion ii decades of the 17th century that Denkyira succeeded inwards bringing Aowin nether its rule. Even so the Denkyira victory did non much touching on the ability of Aowin since all that the victorious ability was interested inwards was to obtain costless passage for its traders to too from Aowin too to collect it annual tribute. The show would seem to advise that past times the cease of the 17th century Aowin had non solely regained its erstwhile ability but had embarked on a policy of economical too political expansion which was to convey it human face upwards to human face upwards alongside the rising ability of Asante inwards the 1710’s. Its command over the sources of gilded too the merchandise routes to the northern marketplace seat of Begho too the coastal town of Apollonia was i of the causes which led to the Asante-Aowin War of 1715. By the starting fourth dimension of the 18th century the wars alongside Denkyira too Asante had led to a loss of much of Aowin territory to the westward of the Tano to many of the Twi-speaking people from the east. Although the novel immigrants were victorious inwards the wars, they seemed to receive got lost their language, which at nowadays is so heavily overlaid alongside the dialect of the Aowin every bit to homecoming it virtually incomprehensible to the other Twi speakers. In spite of their linguistic affinity alongside the Aowin, real few people inwards the iii states of Sefwi may live said to receive got remotely straight originated from the Aowin. Among such towns are Bonzan (Moinsea), DaTano, Benchema, Kwodwokrom, too portion of Bodi. Although they do non consider themselves to live Aowin, in that location is no uncertainty that they were in i lawsuit a portion of or nether the Aowin.
Phases of Settlement
One of the problems of the researcher into the history of Sefwi is how to create upwards one's heed the diverse phases of settlements too migration. This work is made to a greater extent than hard past times the incessant soil succession disputes too litigation amidst the iii paramount stools on the i hand, too betwixt the paramount stools too some of the divisional chiefs on the other. All are even so agreed that the Anhwiaso province was the firstly of the iii to live established. Bordering on Asante to the northeast, it is most likely that this was the state, which was known to Dupuis every bit Safey. The traditions of many of the towns of Anhwiaso delineate their master copy homes to southern Asante too to Brong Ahafo. The most of import of these towns is Wenchi, the shout out of which is, at times, used to push clit the whole of the Anhwiaso traditional area. Now ruled past times members of the Asona clan who delineate the abode of their lineage to Ansa inwards Adanse, Wenchi appears to receive got been founded past times people from Brong Ahafo. It is interesting to banker's complaint that the Asona of Kesekrom too Ahibenso inwards the Wiawso expanse who claim to receive got come upwards from Anhwiaso Wenchi, emphatically assert that their master copy abode was inwards Wenchi inwards Brong Ahafo. There is plenty circumstantial show to present that people from Wenchi inwards the Bono-Takyiman expanse may receive got founded Anhwiaso Wenchi too named it after their old home. This is partly evidenced past times the similarities inwards the yam festival of the ii towns too partly past times the traditions of Bono Wenchi which assert that early inwards the reign of Osei Tutu the Asante sacked too destroyed their old capital, Ahwene Koko. As a resultant of the destruction, the tradition continues, many of their people moved too settled inwards Sefwi, Aowin too Nzema areas. It is most likely that many of the refugees from Ahwene Koko moved into Anhwiaso Wenchi, the master copy founders of which mightiness receive got been related to them. Now enjoying the condition of a divisional main (the Benkumhene) to the Anhwiaso Omanhene, Wenchi has for a long fourth dimension disputed the claim of the Adum-Aduana of Anhwiaso to occupy the paramount stool. To Wenchi the Adum-Aduana are usurpers. According to the Asona traditions of Wenchi they lost virtually all the manlike mortal royals of their clan every bit a resultant of wars alongside their neighbours. In monastic enjoin that the necessary customary rites would live regularly performed they entrusted the custody of the stool to i Nipa Panyi, the eldest of the stool sons. Until that catamenia their sons of the Aduana clan were the principal province executioners (Adumfo). Unfortunately for the Asona it took them a long fourth dimension to live able to acquire a manlike mortal royal capable of occupying the stool. But because of this long catamenia of regency, too the honey of the ability which their sons had wielded they refused to paw over the stool to them too thereby, made permanent an organization which had been intended to live temporary.
The confusion inwards the Anhwiaso province is made worse past times the existence of ii competitor groups of Aduana each claiming to live the rightful rulers. The main of Chirano, who is said to live the caput of the Aduana clan inwards Anhwiaso, too whose branch of Aduana is collectively known every bit the Sawua, maintains that the Adum-Aduana receive got worked themselves into a seat which had formerly been occupied past times them. The Sawua claim that they in i lawsuit lived at old Wenchi alongside the Asona, alongside whom they were solely separated past times a brook. Both the Adum-Aduana too the Sawua people hold that they are autochthonous. Whilst the erstwhile assert that they brought their stool from their old abode at Old Anhwiaso, where they emerged from a hole inwards the ground, the latter also claim that their ancestors emerged from a hole at a seat nigh old Wenchi. It appears that the claims of both the Sawua too the Adum-Aduana are mere rationalizations to back upwards a seat which the Aduana receive got come upwards to occupy non past times correct but past times force.
The traditions of Sefwi Bekwai assert that the Anhwiaso people were already settled inwards their acquaint territory when they arrived there. Perhaps because of the smallness of their number, Bekwai was non prepared to combat it out to capture soil from the master copy settlers. This may explicate why it is the smallest of all the iii states. The Ekoona of Bekwai who occupy the Omanhene’s stool, claim to receive got emigrated from Adanse, where they belonged to the royal household unit of measurement at Fomena. Owing to household unit of measurement disputes they moved away. First passing through Denkyira, Wassa too Nzema they were subsequently granted soil nigh the Sobore River past times Obumankoma, main of Agona inwards Wassa Amenfi, too so a vassal of the powerful Aowin king. Sometime inwards the 18th century the strained human relationship betwixt Bekwai too Wiawso, who had lately arrived inwards the area, led to a nation of war inwards which Bekwai was forced to pick out refuge inwards Asante. They were however, subsequently granted soil past times the Anhwiaso stool, thank you lot to the intercession of the Asantehene.
The history of Sefwi Wiawso is closeiy connected alongside Asante-Awowin relationship. Of all the iii states Wiawso appears to receive got been the i which was much to a greater extent than straight influenced past times developments inwards the Asante majuscule – Kumasi. Indeed the show seems to advise that the vast tract of territory which Wiawso came to command was obtained alongside the aid of the Asante whom they faithfully supported after the Asante-Denkyira War. Like the other states, many of the people inwards Wiawso delineate their origins to Asante too Denkyira. Here the of import clan is ‘Asankera’ which occupies the paramount stool. The beginnings of the small town of the Twi-speaklng people inwards Wiawso may live traced to the ascension of Denkyira to ability betwixt 1640 too 1660. Reluctant to submit to Denkyira rule, some members of the Asakyiri clan left Adanse Akrokeri too eventually settled a few miles westward of the Tano at a seat known every bit Bauko. Together alongside the Agona rulers of Bonzan, which had in i lawsuit been a powerful Aowin out-post, the Asakyiri of Bauko, succeeded inwards despoiling Aowin of much of its soil lying betwixt the Bia too the Tano. But the catamenia of Bauko dominion inwards this expanse was shortly to live cutting brusque during the in conclusion stage of Denkyira majestic drive towards the cease of the 17th century. From nearly the 1680′s refugees from Wassa too Twifo came pouring into the expanse to avoid beingness brought nether Denkyira rule. It was at this fourth dimension that the modern province of Wiawso was established. It appears however, that for some fourth dimension in that location existed a mutual working human relationship betwixt the Asakyiri of Buako too the novel Asankera people who had lately arrived from their erstwhile abode nigh Asankaragua, inwards the Wassa Amenfi area.
The foundations of the modern province of Wiawso are associated alongside ii early rulers, Obumankoma too Nkoa I. Tradition has it that it was Obumankoma who led the migration of the people from Wassa Amenfi to their firstly small town at Bosomoiso, past times the Sobore. It is non known whether it was the fearfulness of Denkyira which urged Obumankoma on to motion westwards. Not long after his small town at Bosomoiso, however, the always victorious armies of Boa Amponsem I of Denkyira overran the novel settlement. Obumankoma in i lawsuit once to a greater extent than moved too founded his majuscule at the strategically superior site on top of the colina where the modern town, Wiawso, stands. By correlating traditional alongside documentary show i may live able to works life the catamenia of the foundation of both the Wiawso town too state.
It is traditionally remembered that real early inwards his reign, Nkoa I, the minute ruler of Wiawso, was presented alongside the Etwie drum past times Boa Amponsem. Although Wiawso traditions push clit this every bit commutation of gifts, yet it appears that past times accepting this all of import drum from Boa Amponsem, Nkoa was acknowledging his vassalage to Denkyira. Boa Amponsem is known to receive got died inwards 1692. It is hence highly likely that Nkoa mightiness receive got been enstooled roughly 1691. If Nkoa was the minute ruler every bit Wiawso traditions assert, too so it is most likely that the foundation of Wiawso province goes dorsum non before than the 1680′s or belatedly 1670′s. It is most likely that the Asante shortly followed the victory over Denkyira alongside the capture of Wiawso too Bekwai. Asante traditions hold that the defeat of Sefwi took seat at the fourth dimension of Osei Tutu. From all appearances, the Sefwi shortly learned to adjust themselves to their novel situation. This enabled them to play a leading purpose inwards the Asante drive towards the southwest inwards the 1710′s. Nkoa I (Ntwan) whom the Europeans mistakenly seat every bit manlike mortal monarch of Wassa, instead of Wiawso, was known to receive got played a leading purpose In the Asante-Aowin War when the Asante forces nether General Amankwatia carried all before them to Apollonia inwards 1715. In the Sefwi Wiawso people the Asante found brave too willing allies competent to guard their southwestern frontiers against Aowin. It mightiness live due to Nkoa’s services to the Asante inwards the nation of war that Wiawso was allowed to annex much of the soil westward of the Tano, which had formerly belonged to the Aowin. It is important to banker's complaint that the traditions of Wiawso push clit Nkoa I every bit the warrior manlike mortal monarch too credit him alongside the conquest of Aowin too the extension of their territory to much of its acquaint frontiers.
Sefwi too Their Neighbours
Whatever the intentions of the founders of the Sefwi province inwards moving westwards from the centre of Akan politics, they shortly learned that ‘War is non yet over” every bit they had hoped. They had to combat alongside some of their neighbours over soil or combat wars for their allies too overlords. In spite of the traditions of early settlements inwards Wassa soil past times both the Bekwai too Wiawso states, their relations alongside the erstwhile shortly deteriorated. It is said that Obumankoma of Wiawso defeated Wassa (presumably Amenfi) belike towards the cease of the l680′s. Wiawso hegemony over Wassa could non receive got lasted long because Obumankoma was himself defeated past times Boa Amponsem. To the catamenia of Denkyira overlordship inwards Wiawso may live traced the influx of the large set out of Denkyira immigrants, every bit testified past times the many stools occupied past times people of the Agona clan. Indeed, Denkyira political institutions were greatly copied past times Wiawso. It is interesting to banker's complaint that ii of the most warlike towns, Amenfie too Bodi, delineate their origins to this period. Although most of the stools interviewed inwards this expanse tried to play downward their subjection to Denkyira, in that location is plenty show from their nation of war songs which lends back upwards to the early stage of Denkyira dominance. It is non unlikely that Nkoa I of Wiawso, similar Osei Tutu of Asante, learned much from the military machine tactics too political organization of Denkyira.
It was non solely the Wiawso province but Bekwai too Anhwiaso also came nether Denkyira rule. The traditions of the in conclusion mentioned province handgrip that they were in i lawsuit overran past times latter ability patch most of their able-bodied men were away to nation of war alongside their northern neighbours. By the cease of the 17th century the Denkyira Earth forces nether their fearful general, Agya Ananse Obooman, had carried their arms to every bit far westward every bit the Bia too due south westwards to convey Aowin nether their rule.
As Bosman too the other European observers reported, all the erstwhile tributary states of Denkyira were anxious for its downfall because Denkyira dominion tended to live harsh. Indeed it is known that most of the tributary states overtly supported Asante. To them the Asante nation of war of liberation would also win them their independence. Unlike Akyem Abuakwa, footling did they realize that Asante which had objected to Denkyira rule, was itself embarking on an majestic drive. It was peradventure alongside a stance to gaining the confidence of the Asante that Anhwiaso at nowadays transferred its allegiance to Asante after 1701. It is non for sure when too why Wiawso too Bekwai came nether Asante rule. If the information collected past times Bowdich at the starting fourth dimension of the 19th century is to live believed too so the defeat of Wiawso shortly followed that of Denkyira. It is known that Osei Tutu’s General Amankwatia, conquered “Sawee Bomancumma”. By 1700, however, Obumankoma was dead too had been succeeded past times Nkoa. Any Asante nation of war against Sefwi too so would live against Nkoa but non Obumankoma. It is interesting to banker's complaint that inside less than a decade too a half, Nkoa I had so successfully adapted himself to the changed political province of affairs every bit to play a prominent purpose inwards the Asante-Aowin War of 1715. Nor could Anhwiaso save its friendly relations alongside Asante for long. In 1715, Amankwatia’s Earth forces on its way to Apollonia overran its majuscule too thus completely reduced Anhwiaso to a tributary status. Perhaps the purpose played past times the Bantamahene Amankwatia inwards bringing these states completely nether Asante dominion explains why Wiawso too Anhwiaso served the Asantehene through the Bantamahene.
Throughout the catamenia betwixt 1715 too 1887, when Sefwi finally came nether the British, Asante maintained its dominion inwards the area. By the reign of Osei Kwadwo, Asante ability had stretched further westwards into portion of the Anyi-Baule part of the Ivory Coast. The whole of modern Sefwi had been brought nether Asante dominion past times the 1770′s, when Osei Kwadwo is said to receive got defeated the erstwhile Aowin principality of Bonzan. Bonzan traditions handgrip that they came nether Sefwi Wiawso at the proposition of the Asante. To pacify the erstwhile powerful Bonzan Wiawso agreed to brand it the Krontihene of the state.
One of the mysteries inwards Sefwi history is its human relationship alongside Ebiri Moro. Fuller, without citing his source of information, asserts that i Ebiri Moro, King of Sefwi, sacked Kumasi when the Asante armies were gone to nation of war against Akyem. This happened according to Fuller, during the reign of Opoku Ware. It is interesting to banker's complaint that none of the chiefs interviewed could tell of Ebiri Moro’s identity. Perhaps i may combat that since his actions brought the province into disrepute the Sefwi people receive got deliberately struck out his shout out from the manlike mortal monarch lists. I am inclined to believe that no such an travail has been made. Judging from the intense rivalry amidst the paramount stools, it is non unlikely that i of them would receive got shown who Ebiri Moro was every bit long every bit he was non connected alongside their stool. All the available information, however, makes Ebiri Moro either a ruler of Ahafo or Aowin. Indeed, Wiawso traditions assert that it could non receive got been a ruler of Sefwi since they were at that fourth dimension fighting alongside the Asante army.
Nor do the 19th too early 20th century traditions collected associate him alongside Sefwi. Reindorf asserts that Ebiri Moro was the ruler of Parana too that Amankwatia fought too defeated Obumankoma too non Ebiri Moro. Kumawu traditions collected past times Rattray inwards the 1920′s associate Ebiri Moro alongside Wassa. Judging from Sefwi relations alongside Asante at the starting fourth dimension of the 18th century, it is hard to believe that they would receive got been bold plenty to receive got carried an assault to the majuscule of their overlord. It appears that the historian interested inwards finding to a greater extent than nearly this mysterious Ebiri Moro must search for him inwards the Aowin states which are inwards both Republic of Ghana too the Cote d'Ivoire or inwards the Bono Takyiman-Wenchi area.
Social too Political Organisation
With the influx of people from many parts of the soil specially from Adanse which is known to live the firstly organized Akan province “from which other states learned the fine art of government”, the social too political systems of Sefwi receive got been much influenced past times the immigrants. The acquaint basic social construction may live said to live the super imposition of the highly developed pure Akan clan scheme on i which had hitherto been organised primarily roughly living quarters too inwards Asafo or warrior companionship groups. The effect on the whole has non been a real satisfactory marriage. This explains the confusion nearly the diverse clans who claim to live eligible to occupy of import stools. In Anhwiaso too Wiawso it appears that the struggles betwixt the diverse clans are primarily due to the unsuccessful merger of the ii dissimilar institutions i.e. the pure Akan clan scheme on the i hand, too the Aowin-Bono scheme on the other.
Nowhere is this province of affairs every bit pronounced every bit inwards the Wiawso state. There the clan inwards which the paramount stool is vested is known every bit the Asankera. One would aspect that all the members of this grouping would belong to i known Akan clan group. But far from it, There are, at least, iii different clans who claim to belong to the Asankera group. The acquaint Omanhene of Wiawso, for instance, asserts that he is of the Oyoko clan, patch Buako too Asafo which are also Asankera are of the Asakyiri too Bretuo clans, respectively. In the Anhwiaso expanse peradventure the origins of the struggles betwixt the Asona of Wenchi on the i hand, too the Adum-Aduana too the Aduana (Sawua) on the other, stalk from a similar unsuccessful organization of merging clans alongside living quarters.
In the political sphere, however, most of the Akan institutions receive got been easily adopted. The politico-military sectionalisation of the province into the left, right, too vanguard wings each nether a leader who led his men inwards fourth dimension of nation of war too administered the sectionalisation inwards peace-time is a mutual characteristic of the Sefwi constitution. Also all the states receive got such purely administrative posts every bit the Kronti, Akwamu, Gyaase, Ankobea, too a host of others which are mutual alongside all the other Akan states. In spite of these arrangements, however, it appears that, alongside the exception of a few of import stools inwards some places the all of import portion of the queen-mother was unknown or her purpose was relegated to an inferior status.
Economy
Like most of the wood states of West Africa Sefwi’s economic scheme was based on trade. Gold mining too panning every bit good every bit ivory hunting were ii of the most of import occupations. Gold too ivory were exchanged for manufactured goods.
Sefwi cocoa farmers
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 town similar Bonzan (when translated the shout out agency the river which spits out gold), owed its fame too importance to its gilded industry. Gold from Sefwi too other Aowin towns was regularly sent to Begho to the due north too to the European forts at the coast.
Sefwi cocoa farmer
The road connecting Kumasi to Sefwi was i of the of import arteries of merchandise at the starting fourth dimension of the 19th century. Towards the cease of the 19th century when prophylactic became i of the principal items of merchandise inwards the wood part of Ghana, Sefwi appears to receive got been active inwards the tapping of rubber. The abundance of both the tree, Funtumia elastica, too the vine, Landolphia Owarensis, inwards the expanse greatly made prophylactic exploitation a lucrative business for the people. It was undoubtedly during this catamenia of prophylactic smash that Debiso inwards Sefwi became an of import stopping seat too marketplace seat centre for people who journeyed to Kankyaabo (Krinjabo) too other places inwards modern Ivory Coast. While it may non live denied the importation of European manufactured goods, specially Fe implements helped to brand possible this economical exploitation, Sefwi too its immediate neighbourhood had had traditions of Fe working going dorsum to the pre-European period. To both Denkyira too Sefwi the Fe working towns of Tonsuosim (Maudaso) past times the Bia, too Bopa-Piri, past times the Tano had long provided the much needed hoes too machetes (adre), for the exploitation of the forest.
Sefwi girl
Festivals too Traditional Deities
As was pointed out before on all the iii states of Sefwi percentage a mutual civilization inwards spite of the fact that they all came from different places. They percentage a mutual dialect, Sefwi, receive got a mutual Yam Festival, Alluolie, too a mutual deity, Sobore. Although the Sefwi dialect is grouped alongside other Akan languages, it is by too large unintelligible to the other Akan speakers. Linguistically the incoming Akans from the due east too other regions receive got had their linguistic communication real much overlaid alongside the Aowin-Bono dialect. Now Sefwi shares this mutual dialect, alongside the Aowin, Nzema too Anyi-Baule inwards the Ivory Coast.
In their mutual yam festival,the Alluolie,they celebrate the cease of the farming year, too offering nutrient too drinks to their ancestors – a practise which is non dissimilar from the Ohum too Odwira festivals of the Akans. On the other paw the minute festival, the Alie, is non celebrated past times all the stools, but solely past times members of the Asona clan inwards the iii states. The importance of this festival lies peradventure inwards the fact that it serves every bit i of the solely connecting links betwixt the ii Wenchis of Bono too Sefwi. Formerly celebrated solely inwards Wenchi, but non taken upwards past times the Omanhene of Anhwiaso too such places every bit Chirano, Subiri too Kesekrom, it has much inwards mutual alongside the celebration of the annual Apo festival of Wenchi inwards the Bono states. In both the Alie too the Apo nutrient which is cooked for the ancestors is placed at the outskirts of the town too merry-making women trip the lite fantastic upwards too downward the streets at times exposing their naked but good decorated bodies to the onlookers.
Sefwi students dancing traditional dance
Religion
In the worship of the tutelar deity Sobore, the iii states also receive got a mutual identity. The deity is supposed non solely to protect the states from all calamities but it is also a fertility god. Admittedly each province had its ain shrine too priests but inwards all essentials the method of worshipping is similar. It appears that the Sobore predates the establishment of the modern Sefwi state. This may explicate why solely the local dialect too non Twi too solely locally made vino from the raffia palm are used inwards worshipping Sobore. It is highly likely that the worship of this flow Sobore, was taken over from the Aowin.
Tourism Potential
Tree of God (Nyame Dua)
It is located at Nyamebekyere, a distance of nearly 5km from Sefwi Wiawso. It is said that nearly i hundred too 50 (150) years ago, a farmer struck a machete into the stump of the tree which is soundless visible inwards the torso of the tree. Today the torso of the tree is completely surrounded past times the machete.
Abombirim Sacred Tortoise Forest
It is located at Sefwi Boako, a 21km distance away from the municipal capital. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 sacred wood is preserved inwards which a giant tortoise lives. It is believed hen i picks the tortoise, in that location turns to live total darkness inwards the forest. Until such a fourth dimension that the tortoise is left for lite to re-appear, i volition non live able to divulge a way out of the forest.
Ancestral Hole
It is at Bosomoiso nearly 4km away from Sefwi Wiawso. It is believed that the royal household unit of measurement of the said community originated from this hole. It is believed to live a bottomless hole. It is surrounded past times trees but no leafage falls into it. The hole is alleged to receive got healing powers.
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