Info For You Lot Yaa Asantewa: Dandy African Warrior, Liberty Fighter, Anti-Imperialist In Addition To Queen Woman Rear Of Edweso
“ Now I consider that some of you lot fearfulness to go forwards to struggle for our king. If it [was] inward the brave days of Osei Tutu, Okomfo Anokye, in addition to Opoku Ware, chiefs would non sit down downward to consider their manly individual monarch to live on taken away without firing a shot. No European could receive got dared utter to chiefs of Asante inward the agency the governor spoke to you lot 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, in addition to then nosotros will. We, the women, will. I shall telephone band upon my beau women. We volition fight! We volition struggle till the in conclusion of us falls inward the battlefields. ” YAA ASANTWEA, QUEEN MOTHER OF EJISU.
Nana Yaa Asantewa, warrior in addition to smashing 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 in addition to i of the Africa`s smashing liberty fighters. She was arguably Republic of Ghana in addition to Africa`s greatest fearless woman individual warrior during colonial times. Yaa Asantewa who was the queen woman parent of Ejisu (Edweso) inward the Ashanti Empire—now component 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 equally the War of the Golden Stool against British colonialism when the British Empire after looting Ashanti Kingdom in addition to exiling King of Asante Prempeh I, dared to enquire for their Golden Stool which symbolizes their soul equally Nation in addition to an ethnic group. She is populary referred to equally "Africa`s Joan of Arc." When men panic in addition to flee from danger, Yaa Asantewa laughs in addition to facial expression it squarely!
From at that spot Asonaba Nana Yaa Asantewaa started mobilising forces to cast 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 in addition to of import chiefs, some of the stools were occupied yesteryear the Governor`s nominees piece others were soundless vacant in addition to amongst that it was real hard to accomplish the masses although she travelled extensively inside a real curt menstruum of fourth dimension inward gild to live on able to convince all the citizens of the Golden Stool to come upward together in addition to defend the Stool that represents the Unity of the Asanteman. b). The civil state of war that erupted during the challenger for the Asantehene betwixt Nana Prempeh in addition to Nana Atwereboana. Some people were variety of suspicious amongst regard to the primary aim of Nana Yaa Asantewaa, peculiarly the supporters of Nana Yaw Atwereboana.
They could non dismiss the persuasion that Nana Yaa Asantewaa was so eager to struggle solely because she wanted to choose dorsum Nana Prempeh in addition to receive got him installed equally the Asantehene. It is interesting to complaint that Asantes usually would make everything to protect the Golden Stool but non necessarily the occupants at all times. Eventually she was able to mobilize forces together in addition to 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 in addition to 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 in addition to leader of Adanse, Nana Antoa Mensa of Antoa, Nana Kofi Adu`s primary of Buromfu, Nana Kwaku Nsia`s primary of Asante Akropong in addition to Nana Yaa Asantewaa equally the commander- in- Chief.
It volition live on 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 equally follows:
"Brave men of Asante, nosotros are at nowadays faced amongst a serious confrontation yesteryear the Governor`s extremely provocative demand for the Golden Stool. We should call back that the Golden Stool is non solely our spiritual backbone but also the religious symbol of the unity of Asanteman. Not quite long agone the white homo came in addition to unilaterally occupied our God-given dry soil in addition to yesteryear forcefulness of arms has declared Asante Kingdom equally 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 in addition to burnt our Palace after looting all the treasures bequeathed to us yesteryear our fore bearers. Taking our brave men for a ride, the Governor arbitrarily arrested in addition to deported our King amongst some paramount chiefs without you lot men rising fifty-fifty a finger. Aren`t you lot ashamed of yourselves? Today he has come upward to demand the Golden Stool. I am asking you lot all here, shall nosotros sit down downward equally cowards in addition to allow these rouges receive got away our pride? We should ascent upward in addition to defend our heritage because it is improve to perish than to await on sheepishly piece the white homo whose sole work concern inward our province is to steal, kill in addition to destroy in addition to shamelessly demand for our sacred Stool. Arise!¦arise, men of Osei Tutu in addition to Opoku Tenten, because I am prepared to Pb you lot to state of war against the white men. I am urging all the WOMEN hither to go dwelling theatre in addition to remain behind because WE the MEN are ready for War. Should anyone of you lot live on afraid to fight; may he live on punished for his shameful human activeness yesteryear the smashing Asante god Odomankoma." Interestingly, she was the solely adult woman at this meeting.
The state of war Council nether the leadership of Nana Yaa Asantewaa in addition to backed yesteryear the chiefs in addition to people of Offinso, Abofuor, Bechem, Nkwanta, Atwoma, Edweso in addition to Kokofu declared total scale state of war on the British amongst the initial 20.000 armed men. Others who also fought on the side of the Asante Army were Kumase, Duayaw-Nkwanta, Takyimantia, Adanse in addition to Kuntanase. The next United States of America decidedly stayed neutral because the chiefs did non desire to fight:Bompata, Kumawu, Atebubu, Gyaman, Nkoranza, in addition to Bekwae. The next also were non engaged inward the state of war because they had previously gone into some peace price amongst the British: Takyiman, Wankyi, Berekum, Wam in addition to manso Nkwanta. Chiefs similar Mamponghene, Nsutahene in addition to Agonahene, who were appointed yesteryear the British fifty-fifty fought on the side of the British. The Dwabenhene, Nana Otuo Serebour l decided to remain neutral in addition to fifty-fifty at i fourth dimension during the state of war made an sweat to negotiate a cease-fire betwixt the Asantes in addition to the British.
The siege of Kumase began amongst a march from Edweso in addition to ended at the fort on Apr eighth 1900. Nana Yaa Asantewaa powerfulness 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 in addition to this compelled the British in addition to 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 in addition to logistics life became real unbearable for them at the Fort because Nana Yaa Asantewaa ordered that the decease drum should live on played everyday for several hours. This psychological fob worked because at that spot were a lot of Asantes at the Fort also in addition to they translated the pregnant of the drums to the British. Those Asantes who were non prepared to struggle were afraid to live on intimidated in addition to so they all variety refuge at the Fort. The most prominent amid them was the Dwabenhene, Nana Otuo Serebour l in addition to his elders. Because the British had no nutrient in addition to ammunition the constant booming of the decease drum was similar decease to them. According to Lady Hodgson, she at a sure enough indicate inward fourth dimension at the Fort wished she was dead because she could non demeanor the audio in addition to the interpretation. According to A. Danqua, i of the effective strategies used yesteryear Nana Yaa Asantewaa was to stretch the British soldiers in addition to their allies from Nigeria to starvation. She cutting off the nutrient supplies to the Fort in addition to when the European officers in addition to their soldiers found out that their wives in addition to children were starving to decease they were demoralised in addition to real desperate. This strategy proved real effective because Nana Yaa Asantewaa established blockades at every indicate that led to Kumase in addition to appointed diverse War generals to receive got attention of that. This was real effective because it did non solely dull 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 dull displace also led to growth inward the decease equally good equally suffering of the people inward the Fort. The blockades were some half-dozen or vii feet high in addition to iv feet inward thickness built of gigantic wood trees dry soil length ways, the interstices filled upward amongst switch in addition to twigs in addition to brambles in addition to jump together amongst telegraphic wires. It had wings to it which extended into the bush on either side in addition to were thus hidden from sight. This applied scientific discipline was said to receive got been the persuasion of the Army General Antoa Mensa of Antoa. He commanded the parent 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 in addition to finally the Fort. Antoa Mensa was inward accuse of a large contingent consisting of 1.500 men stationed inward Kumase metropolis to compaction dorsum whatever endeavour yesteryear the British to rescue the besieged men in addition to women inward the Fort.
Another tactic used yesteryear 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 in addition to shot at the Asante soldiers who were fighting from exterior the Fort. The fob amongst the trees was so an antidote to that. They cutting plantain trees into pieces, almost 1.69 metres long in addition to tied them to a rope in addition to threw them on exceed of the thicket around the Fort. They would prevarication downward in addition to push clit the ropes so that the slice of plantain trapped inward the thicket would drive some movements which the British mistook for human beings. The British after wasted their ammunition in addition to this compelled the Governor to asking for reinforcement in addition to ammunition. It was at this fourth dimension that Governor realised the danger. He sent an SOS to the Coast, requesting for food, medicine in addition to of course of study for reinforcement. In his message he said, "we shall live on able to agree out at the most until Wednesday, June 20th 1900. You must brand it hither latest yesteryear that date. If this message reaches you, response similar a shot informing me where you lot are in addition to when you lot tin arrive. You volition yet receive got to overcome at to the lowest degree ii blockades."
The Governor at this indicate made an sweat to negotiate a cease-fire amongst Nana Yaa Asantewaa but since he refused to consider the weather condition she (Nana Yaa Asantewaa) made, the soldiers continued to tighten upward the blockade so that weather condition for the British soldiers became much unbearable. The weather condition Nana Yaa Asantewaa made were: a) To choose dorsum Nana Prempeh equally presently equally practicable. b) No Asante should live on compelled to make whatever labour in addition to that all the foreigners including the Governor`s representative, should exit Kumase correct away. After a 2nd endeavour for a cease-fire also failed the Governor decided amongst his soldiers to escape. The Asantes got the data so they decided to modify the route. Nana Yaa Asantewaa in addition to then declared that should they create make to escape, General Antoa Mensa was to go after the Governor in addition to his troops to choose him dorsum dead or alive.
According to oral tradition Nana Yaa Asantewaa made this announcement whilst riding on her Equus caballus amongst her facial expression partly smeared amongst clay, inward both dark in addition to white colours amongst her Danish rifle inward her correct manus in addition to a chopping knife inward her left hand. She paraded the streets of Kumase to give orders in addition to made sure enough they were executed amongst absolute accuracy. She in addition to then went to the Fort in addition to started shouting, "Where are they? Fools!! Why did you lot come upward to our dry soil for? You desire our Stool? It is inward my gun so come upward for it." She was so furious that she made the start endeavour to capture the Fort itself. Their efforts were futile because Captain Marshall, who had almost 250 Asantes at his disposal fought them dorsum in addition to this caused Nana Yaa Asantewaa in addition to his troops almost 200 men. These men were later buried inward a volume grave behind the courtroom building, merely contrary the acquaint 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 in addition to it was unsafe to engage them inward a directly combat. Meanwhile, the Governor in addition to most of their soldiers equally good equally married adult woman in addition to children were soundless kept equally "prisoners" inward the Fort in addition to 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 in addition to the Bristish were able to choose inward some nutrient in addition to medicine. It was yet forbidden for them to choose inward to a greater extent than weapons. This did non operate 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 yesteryear the Governor was been heeded to in addition to the British sent a Relief Column through Bekwae. Since Bekwae was fighting on the side of the British it was slow to come upward equally close equally Trede, a hamlet close Kumase. The British engaged the Asantes inward a directly combat in addition to were so overwhelming that the Asantes lost a lot of their soldiers. Trede was eventually burnt in addition to some of the Asante soldiers were taken equally 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 in addition to fifty-fifty their colleagues who were wounded. Victory was inward sight equally the British started gaining command over the Asante Army. With this the Governor decided to exit Kumase in addition to escape. On the side yesteryear side hateful solar daytime the Governor, equally good equally Mr in addition to Mrs. Ramseyer, the caput of the Missionaries inward Asante, in addition to most of the aliens inward the Fort left through Patase, heading towards Denkyera in addition to Cape Coast. General Antoa Mensa in addition to his men went after them in addition to were supposed to choose the Governor dead or alive. The General in addition to his men got so unopen to the British in addition to fought the parent guard so fiercely that the British dropped their loads inward gild to live on able to grab upward amongst the main troops. General Antoa Mensa in addition to his men made the greatest fault they could, instead of going after the British soldiers they stopped to selection upward the loads that fifty-fifty contained coin in addition to ornaments. They persuasion they would gain to a greater extent than from the spoils. Before they could realise anything the Governor in addition to his people were already gone.
Meanwhile the Governor had already abandoned the persuasion of always getting agree of the Golden stool because they sometimes had to search at v places at a fourth dimension in addition to none of the data they had proved reliable. According to Ivor Agyeman Duah, the next people took attention of the Golden Stool at unlike times, Nana Abamo brought it from Bare to hid it at Wawaase in addition to later on it was taken yesteryear Nana Obuabasa Opoku Mensa to Abuabugya. There were some other hideouts for the Golden Stool that receive got been kept cloak-and-dagger for all these years. The PINANKO BRETUO FAMILY of Wawaase are real pop amid those who receive got kept the Golden for several years in addition to nosotros Asantes owe them a lot for that. It volition live on recalled that i of the main reasons why this Yaa Asantewaa War came almost was the Governor’s intention to receive got the Golden Stool amongst him to London in addition to although the Asantes were losing the War at this stage, the British could non receive got the Stool away.
As the British terror of laid on was intensified, confusion in addition to disorder spread through the Asante lines. Through out the state of war the Asantes had non experienced such a mysterious onrush in addition to ferocity. Most of the soldiers merely succumb to the British in addition to others ran away. Victory was inward sight equally the British troops gained command over the Asante army. The gate of the Fort was flung open, in addition to Captain Bishop, Mr Rolf in addition to doc Hay came out followed yesteryear the rest. The Commandant, Col. Wilcox in addition to then entered the Fort amongst his men on schedule.
The African soldiers inward the British Army dashed into the streets of Kumase in addition to inflicted an unprecedented atrocities on the Asante soldiers who were fleeing, in addition to that was the autumn of Kumase. Asante was humiliated in addition to 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 in addition to needed a house to hide. According to Osei Kwadwo, inward the dying days of Nov 1900, she left Edweso for Kumase to laid out a long refugee march yesteryear route to Sreso Timpoomu, a minor village, almost 85 kilometres from Kumase, close 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 amongst a 10 twelvemonth one-time girl, who was serving equally 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 amongst to a greater extent than than a m men. She in addition to then proceeded to Mpasaaso in addition to hither the people advised her to go farther to Sereso since the primary at that spot was from the Asona household unit of measurement in addition to they powerfulness make all they tin to protect her.
Nana Yaa Kyeiwaa in addition to Nana Agyapomaa hosted her inward their theatre at Sereso in addition to the descendants of this household unit of measurement soundless possess some gifts that Nana Yaa Asantewaa left amongst them. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 few days later she was betrayed yesteryear Kwame Tua in addition to was finally arrested yesteryear the British soldiers. Meanwhile most of the ringleaders of the state of war had been apprehended yesteryear the British law in addition to already sent to custody. Notwithstanding her victory inward the war, Her Majesty the Queen of England, considered Nana Yaa Asantewaa, "persona non grata" in addition to the solely choice 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 in addition to xiii Asante chiefs to the Republic of Seychelles Islands. Those who were also deported amongst Nana Yaa Asantewaa were equally 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 in addition to Nana Kwaku Berchie. They were conveyed on the carry "DWARKA" yesteryear May 25th 1901. And they were to live on made political prisoners on the Islands. They powerfulness receive got arrived yesteryear the latter component of 1901 inward the Seychelles. When they arrived Nana Yaa Asantewaa was made to settle on an estate of almost 27 acres inward an expanse 2 in addition to a one-half miles from Victoria. She in addition to all the other chiefs were paid monthly stipends or allowances each yesteryear 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 in addition to fifty-fifty took some lessons to larn the English linguistic communication alphabets. She died on the Islands on Oct 17th, 1921, equally a final result of a chronic toothache. She was buried on the Islands. May her Soul Rest inward Peace.
Nana Yaa Asantewaa's Stool stolen yesteryear the British.
The sacred Stool of Nana Yaa Asntewaa disappeared simultaneously amongst the capture in addition to 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 equally a reprisal against them for the component they played inward the war. Meanwhile, the British people could non consider the sense demanding the Golden Stool in addition to Earth condemn Governor Hodgson for what was described equally a blunder. The argue was that the British were convinced the sacrilegious claim for the Golden Stool did non solely 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 in addition to Lady Hodgson made every sweat to shift the blame on Asantes in addition to fifty-fifty tried to say the interpreter who did the translation for the Governor on the faithful hateful solar daytime where he claimed the Golden Stool powerfulness 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 in addition to Sailor`s Agencies in addition to Supplies(DSSAS), a British organisation, was quoted equally proverb the he bought the sacred stool for iv 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 in addition to polishing it he decided to purchase in addition to mail it to London.
Now the one-time wooden stool described yesteryear Hulme equally seemingly valueless had acquire an matter of State betwixt Mr James Griffiths, the Colonial Secretary in addition to 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 in addition to the Colonial Office on i manus in addition to Mr. Hulme in addition to the Colonial Secretary on the other. The claim yesteryear Mr Hulme that he bought the stool was debunked yesteryear an inscription on a metallic plate found on the stool. This metallic was fixed similar a shot after the state of war in addition to bore an inscription “ Taken from the Palace of Nana Yaa Asantewaa at Edweso, Asante, 30th August 1900.
As a final result of that, Mr Hulme consented to restore the sacred stool to Edwesohene nether the authorization of Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Prempeh ll, the Asantehene. Subsequently, the Secretary of State sent an invitation to the Edwesohene, requesting him to move to England in addition to collect the stool on behalf of his state. In a alphabetic lineament dated 22nd July 1951, the Edwesohene stated equally a final result of affliction he has to decline the invitation in addition to requested the Secretary to manus 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 in addition to T. Boatin, who represented the Edwesohene, on June 24th 1951 at iv pm inward London. Also acquaint at the presentation were almost 300 citizens of the Gold Coast, peculiarly Asantes. After this incident some other magazine, called West Africa requested that the British Government is responsible for the Mr Hulme's theft in addition to should equally such come upward out publicly to condemn that in addition to at the same fourth dimension homecoming an apology to the people of Edweso in addition to Gold Coast equally a whole. This was after done yesteryear the Secretary for Colonies on August 24th 1951.
Students of Yaa Asantewa Girls
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Nana Yaa Asantewa, warrior in addition to smashing 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 in addition to i of the Africa`s smashing liberty fighters. She was arguably Republic of Ghana in addition to Africa`s greatest fearless woman individual warrior during colonial times. Yaa Asantewa who was the queen woman parent of Ejisu (Edweso) inward the Ashanti Empire—now component 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 equally the War of the Golden Stool against British colonialism when the British Empire after looting Ashanti Kingdom in addition to exiling King of Asante Prempeh I, dared to enquire for their Golden Stool which symbolizes their soul equally Nation in addition to an ethnic group. She is populary referred to equally "Africa`s Joan of Arc." When men panic in addition to flee from danger, Yaa Asantewa laughs in addition to facial expression it squarely!
Yaa Asantewa`s statue at Edweso
From at that spot Asonaba Nana Yaa Asantewaa started mobilising forces to cast 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 in addition to of import chiefs, some of the stools were occupied yesteryear the Governor`s nominees piece others were soundless vacant in addition to amongst that it was real hard to accomplish the masses although she travelled extensively inside a real curt menstruum of fourth dimension inward gild to live on able to convince all the citizens of the Golden Stool to come upward together in addition to defend the Stool that represents the Unity of the Asanteman. b). The civil state of war that erupted during the challenger for the Asantehene betwixt Nana Prempeh in addition to Nana Atwereboana. Some people were variety of suspicious amongst regard to the primary aim of Nana Yaa Asantewaa, peculiarly the supporters of Nana Yaw Atwereboana.
They could non dismiss the persuasion that Nana Yaa Asantewaa was so eager to struggle solely because she wanted to choose dorsum Nana Prempeh in addition to receive got him installed equally the Asantehene. It is interesting to complaint that Asantes usually would make everything to protect the Golden Stool but non necessarily the occupants at all times. Eventually she was able to mobilize forces together in addition to 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 in addition to 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 in addition to leader of Adanse, Nana Antoa Mensa of Antoa, Nana Kofi Adu`s primary of Buromfu, Nana Kwaku Nsia`s primary of Asante Akropong in addition to Nana Yaa Asantewaa equally the commander- in- Chief.
It volition live on 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 equally follows:
"Brave men of Asante, nosotros are at nowadays faced amongst a serious confrontation yesteryear the Governor`s extremely provocative demand for the Golden Stool. We should call back that the Golden Stool is non solely our spiritual backbone but also the religious symbol of the unity of Asanteman. Not quite long agone the white homo came in addition to unilaterally occupied our God-given dry soil in addition to yesteryear forcefulness of arms has declared Asante Kingdom equally 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 in addition to burnt our Palace after looting all the treasures bequeathed to us yesteryear our fore bearers. Taking our brave men for a ride, the Governor arbitrarily arrested in addition to deported our King amongst some paramount chiefs without you lot men rising fifty-fifty a finger. Aren`t you lot ashamed of yourselves? Today he has come upward to demand the Golden Stool. I am asking you lot all here, shall nosotros sit down downward equally cowards in addition to allow these rouges receive got away our pride? We should ascent upward in addition to defend our heritage because it is improve to perish than to await on sheepishly piece the white homo whose sole work concern inward our province is to steal, kill in addition to destroy in addition to shamelessly demand for our sacred Stool. Arise!¦arise, men of Osei Tutu in addition to Opoku Tenten, because I am prepared to Pb you lot to state of war against the white men. I am urging all the WOMEN hither to go dwelling theatre in addition to remain behind because WE the MEN are ready for War. Should anyone of you lot live on afraid to fight; may he live on punished for his shameful human activeness yesteryear the smashing Asante god Odomankoma." Interestingly, she was the solely adult woman at this meeting.
The state of war Council nether the leadership of Nana Yaa Asantewaa in addition to backed yesteryear the chiefs in addition to people of Offinso, Abofuor, Bechem, Nkwanta, Atwoma, Edweso in addition to Kokofu declared total scale state of war on the British amongst the initial 20.000 armed men. Others who also fought on the side of the Asante Army were Kumase, Duayaw-Nkwanta, Takyimantia, Adanse in addition to Kuntanase. The next United States of America decidedly stayed neutral because the chiefs did non desire to fight:Bompata, Kumawu, Atebubu, Gyaman, Nkoranza, in addition to Bekwae. The next also were non engaged inward the state of war because they had previously gone into some peace price amongst the British: Takyiman, Wankyi, Berekum, Wam in addition to manso Nkwanta. Chiefs similar Mamponghene, Nsutahene in addition to Agonahene, who were appointed yesteryear the British fifty-fifty fought on the side of the British. The Dwabenhene, Nana Otuo Serebour l decided to remain neutral in addition to fifty-fifty at i fourth dimension during the state of war made an sweat to negotiate a cease-fire betwixt the Asantes in addition to the British.
The siege of Kumase began amongst a march from Edweso in addition to ended at the fort on Apr eighth 1900. Nana Yaa Asantewaa powerfulness 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 in addition to this compelled the British in addition to 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 in addition to logistics life became real unbearable for them at the Fort because Nana Yaa Asantewaa ordered that the decease drum should live on played everyday for several hours. This psychological fob worked because at that spot were a lot of Asantes at the Fort also in addition to they translated the pregnant of the drums to the British. Those Asantes who were non prepared to struggle were afraid to live on intimidated in addition to so they all variety refuge at the Fort. The most prominent amid them was the Dwabenhene, Nana Otuo Serebour l in addition to his elders. Because the British had no nutrient in addition to ammunition the constant booming of the decease drum was similar decease to them. According to Lady Hodgson, she at a sure enough indicate inward fourth dimension at the Fort wished she was dead because she could non demeanor the audio in addition to the interpretation. According to A. Danqua, i of the effective strategies used yesteryear Nana Yaa Asantewaa was to stretch the British soldiers in addition to their allies from Nigeria to starvation. She cutting off the nutrient supplies to the Fort in addition to when the European officers in addition to their soldiers found out that their wives in addition to children were starving to decease they were demoralised in addition to real desperate. This strategy proved real effective because Nana Yaa Asantewaa established blockades at every indicate that led to Kumase in addition to appointed diverse War generals to receive got attention of that. This was real effective because it did non solely dull 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 dull displace also led to growth inward the decease equally good equally suffering of the people inward the Fort. The blockades were some half-dozen or vii feet high in addition to iv feet inward thickness built of gigantic wood trees dry soil length ways, the interstices filled upward amongst switch in addition to twigs in addition to brambles in addition to jump together amongst telegraphic wires. It had wings to it which extended into the bush on either side in addition to were thus hidden from sight. This applied scientific discipline was said to receive got been the persuasion of the Army General Antoa Mensa of Antoa. He commanded the parent 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 in addition to finally the Fort. Antoa Mensa was inward accuse of a large contingent consisting of 1.500 men stationed inward Kumase metropolis to compaction dorsum whatever endeavour yesteryear the British to rescue the besieged men in addition to women inward the Fort.
Another tactic used yesteryear 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 in addition to shot at the Asante soldiers who were fighting from exterior the Fort. The fob amongst the trees was so an antidote to that. They cutting plantain trees into pieces, almost 1.69 metres long in addition to tied them to a rope in addition to threw them on exceed of the thicket around the Fort. They would prevarication downward in addition to push clit the ropes so that the slice of plantain trapped inward the thicket would drive some movements which the British mistook for human beings. The British after wasted their ammunition in addition to this compelled the Governor to asking for reinforcement in addition to ammunition. It was at this fourth dimension that Governor realised the danger. He sent an SOS to the Coast, requesting for food, medicine in addition to of course of study for reinforcement. In his message he said, "we shall live on able to agree out at the most until Wednesday, June 20th 1900. You must brand it hither latest yesteryear that date. If this message reaches you, response similar a shot informing me where you lot are in addition to when you lot tin arrive. You volition yet 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 indicate made an sweat to negotiate a cease-fire amongst Nana Yaa Asantewaa but since he refused to consider the weather condition she (Nana Yaa Asantewaa) made, the soldiers continued to tighten upward the blockade so that weather condition for the British soldiers became much unbearable. The weather condition Nana Yaa Asantewaa made were: a) To choose dorsum Nana Prempeh equally presently equally practicable. b) No Asante should live on compelled to make whatever labour in addition to that all the foreigners including the Governor`s representative, should exit Kumase correct away. After a 2nd endeavour for a cease-fire also failed the Governor decided amongst his soldiers to escape. The Asantes got the data so they decided to modify the route. Nana Yaa Asantewaa in addition to then declared that should they create make to escape, General Antoa Mensa was to go after the Governor in addition to his troops to choose him dorsum dead or alive.
According to oral tradition Nana Yaa Asantewaa made this announcement whilst riding on her Equus caballus amongst her facial expression partly smeared amongst clay, inward both dark in addition to white colours amongst her Danish rifle inward her correct manus in addition to a chopping knife inward her left hand. She paraded the streets of Kumase to give orders in addition to made sure enough they were executed amongst absolute accuracy. She in addition to then went to the Fort in addition to started shouting, "Where are they? Fools!! Why did you lot come upward to our dry soil for? You desire our Stool? It is inward my gun so come upward for it." She was so furious that she made the start endeavour to capture the Fort itself. Their efforts were futile because Captain Marshall, who had almost 250 Asantes at his disposal fought them dorsum in addition to this caused Nana Yaa Asantewaa in addition to his troops almost 200 men. These men were later buried inward a volume grave behind the courtroom building, merely contrary the acquaint 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 in addition to it was unsafe to engage them inward a directly combat. Meanwhile, the Governor in addition to most of their soldiers equally good equally married adult woman in addition to children were soundless kept equally "prisoners" inward the Fort in addition to 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 in addition to the Bristish were able to choose inward some nutrient in addition to medicine. It was yet forbidden for them to choose inward to a greater extent than weapons. This did non operate 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 yesteryear the Governor was been heeded to in addition to the British sent a Relief Column through Bekwae. Since Bekwae was fighting on the side of the British it was slow to come upward equally close equally Trede, a hamlet close Kumase. The British engaged the Asantes inward a directly combat in addition to were so overwhelming that the Asantes lost a lot of their soldiers. Trede was eventually burnt in addition to some of the Asante soldiers were taken equally 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 in addition to fifty-fifty their colleagues who were wounded. Victory was inward sight equally the British started gaining command over the Asante Army. With this the Governor decided to exit Kumase in addition to escape. On the side yesteryear side hateful solar daytime the Governor, equally good equally Mr in addition to Mrs. Ramseyer, the caput of the Missionaries inward Asante, in addition to most of the aliens inward the Fort left through Patase, heading towards Denkyera in addition to Cape Coast. General Antoa Mensa in addition to his men went after them in addition to were supposed to choose the Governor dead or alive. The General in addition to his men got so unopen to the British in addition to fought the parent guard so fiercely that the British dropped their loads inward gild to live on able to grab upward amongst the main troops. General Antoa Mensa in addition to his men made the greatest fault they could, instead of going after the British soldiers they stopped to selection upward the loads that fifty-fifty contained coin in addition to ornaments. They persuasion they would gain to a greater extent than from the spoils. Before they could realise anything the Governor in addition to his people were already gone.
Meanwhile the Governor had already abandoned the persuasion of always getting agree of the Golden stool because they sometimes had to search at v places at a fourth dimension in addition to none of the data they had proved reliable. According to Ivor Agyeman Duah, the next people took attention of the Golden Stool at unlike times, Nana Abamo brought it from Bare to hid it at Wawaase in addition to later on it was taken yesteryear Nana Obuabasa Opoku Mensa to Abuabugya. There were some other hideouts for the Golden Stool that receive got been kept cloak-and-dagger for all these years. The PINANKO BRETUO FAMILY of Wawaase are real pop amid those who receive got kept the Golden for several years in addition to nosotros Asantes owe them a lot for that. It volition live on recalled that i of the main reasons why this Yaa Asantewaa War came almost was the Governor’s intention to receive got the Golden Stool amongst him to London in addition to although the Asantes were losing the War at this stage, the British could non receive got the Stool away.
As the British terror of laid on was intensified, confusion in addition to disorder spread through the Asante lines. Through out the state of war the Asantes had non experienced such a mysterious onrush in addition to ferocity. Most of the soldiers merely succumb to the British in addition to others ran away. Victory was inward sight equally the British troops gained command over the Asante army. The gate of the Fort was flung open, in addition to Captain Bishop, Mr Rolf in addition to doc Hay came out followed yesteryear the rest. The Commandant, Col. Wilcox in addition to then entered the Fort amongst his men on schedule.
The African soldiers inward the British Army dashed into the streets of Kumase in addition to inflicted an unprecedented atrocities on the Asante soldiers who were fleeing, in addition to that was the autumn of Kumase. Asante was humiliated in addition to 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 in addition to needed a house to hide. According to Osei Kwadwo, inward the dying days of Nov 1900, she left Edweso for Kumase to laid out a long refugee march yesteryear route to Sreso Timpoomu, a minor village, almost 85 kilometres from Kumase, close 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 amongst a 10 twelvemonth one-time girl, who was serving equally 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 amongst to a greater extent than than a m men. She in addition to then proceeded to Mpasaaso in addition to hither the people advised her to go farther to Sereso since the primary at that spot was from the Asona household unit of measurement in addition to they powerfulness make all they tin to protect her.
Nana Yaa Kyeiwaa in addition to Nana Agyapomaa hosted her inward their theatre at Sereso in addition to the descendants of this household unit of measurement soundless possess some gifts that Nana Yaa Asantewaa left amongst them. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 few days later she was betrayed yesteryear Kwame Tua in addition to was finally arrested yesteryear the British soldiers. Meanwhile most of the ringleaders of the state of war had been apprehended yesteryear the British law in addition to already sent to custody. Notwithstanding her victory inward the war, Her Majesty the Queen of England, considered Nana Yaa Asantewaa, "persona non grata" in addition to the solely choice 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 in addition to xiii Asante chiefs to the Republic of Seychelles Islands. Those who were also deported amongst Nana Yaa Asantewaa were equally 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 in addition to Nana Kwaku Berchie. They were conveyed on the carry "DWARKA" yesteryear May 25th 1901. And they were to live on made political prisoners on the Islands. They powerfulness receive got arrived yesteryear the latter component of 1901 inward the Seychelles. When they arrived Nana Yaa Asantewaa was made to settle on an estate of almost 27 acres inward an expanse 2 in addition to a one-half miles from Victoria. She in addition to all the other chiefs were paid monthly stipends or allowances each yesteryear 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 in addition to fifty-fifty took some lessons to larn the English linguistic communication alphabets. She died on the Islands on Oct 17th, 1921, equally a final result of a chronic toothache. She was buried on the Islands. May her Soul Rest inward Peace.
Yaa Asantewa
Nana Yaa Asantewaa's Stool stolen yesteryear the British.
The sacred Stool of Nana Yaa Asntewaa disappeared simultaneously amongst the capture in addition to 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 equally a reprisal against them for the component they played inward the war. Meanwhile, the British people could non consider the sense demanding the Golden Stool in addition to Earth condemn Governor Hodgson for what was described equally a blunder. The argue was that the British were convinced the sacrilegious claim for the Golden Stool did non solely 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 in addition to Lady Hodgson made every sweat to shift the blame on Asantes in addition to fifty-fifty tried to say the interpreter who did the translation for the Governor on the faithful hateful solar daytime where he claimed the Golden Stool powerfulness 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 in addition to Sailor`s Agencies in addition to Supplies(DSSAS), a British organisation, was quoted equally proverb the he bought the sacred stool for iv 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 in addition to polishing it he decided to purchase in addition to mail it to London.
Now the one-time wooden stool described yesteryear Hulme equally seemingly valueless had acquire an matter of State betwixt Mr James Griffiths, the Colonial Secretary in addition to 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 in addition to the Colonial Office on i manus in addition to Mr. Hulme in addition to the Colonial Secretary on the other. The claim yesteryear Mr Hulme that he bought the stool was debunked yesteryear an inscription on a metallic plate found on the stool. This metallic was fixed similar a shot after the state of war in addition to bore an inscription “ Taken from the Palace of Nana Yaa Asantewaa at Edweso, Asante, 30th August 1900.
As a final result of that, Mr Hulme consented to restore the sacred stool to Edwesohene nether the authorization of Otumfuo Osei Agyeman Prempeh ll, the Asantehene. Subsequently, the Secretary of State sent an invitation to the Edwesohene, requesting him to move to England in addition to collect the stool on behalf of his state. In a alphabetic lineament dated 22nd July 1951, the Edwesohene stated equally a final result of affliction he has to decline the invitation in addition to requested the Secretary to manus 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 in addition to T. Boatin, who represented the Edwesohene, on June 24th 1951 at iv pm inward London. Also acquaint at the presentation were almost 300 citizens of the Gold Coast, peculiarly Asantes. After this incident some other magazine, called West Africa requested that the British Government is responsible for the Mr Hulme's theft in addition to should equally such come upward out publicly to condemn that in addition to at the same fourth dimension homecoming an apology to the people of Edweso in addition to Gold Coast equally a whole. This was after done yesteryear the Secretary for Colonies on August 24th 1951.
Students of Yaa Asantewa Girls
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