Asantehene
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The Asantehene is the ruler of the Ashanti people. While today it is a strictly ceremonial role, it was once a position of great power as the leader of the Ashanti Confederacy. The Asantehene is crowned on a golden stool, known as the Sika 'dwa and the office is sometimes referred to by this name.
The Asantehene also holds the title of Kumasehene, ruler of Kumasi, the capital and most important town of the Confederacy.
The current Asantehene in Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, born Nana Kwaku Dua, a business executive who has lived in London and Toronto. He was one of seven descendants who were eligible for the position.
During the period between the death of an Asantehene and the election of a successor, the Mamponghene, the second most powerful ruler, acts as regent Asantehene. This was changed in the late nineteenth century when the Kwasafomanhyiamu, or governing council itself ruled as regent.
The succession is decided by a series of councils of local notables and other royal family members.
List of Asantehenes
- 1701 - 1717 Osei Kofi Tutu I (had been Kumasehene from 1675)
- 1717 - 1720 Maniampon (regent)
- 1720 - 1750 Opoku Ware I
- 1750 - 1764 Kusi Obodom
- 1764 Safo Kantanka (regent)
- 1764 - 1777 Osei Kwadwo
- 1777 Atakora Kwame (regent)
- 1777 - 1803 Osei Kwame Panyin
- 1803 - 1804 Osei Fofie
- 1804 - 1824 Osei Bonsu
- 1824 - 1834 Osei Yaw Akoto
- 1834 - 1867 Kwaku Dua I Panyin
- 1867 - 1874 Kofi Kakari
- 1874 - 1874 Kwabena Dwomo (regent)
- 1874 - 1883 Mensa Bonsu Kumaa
- 1883 - 1884 The Kwasafomanhyiamu
- 1884 - 1884 Kwaku Dua II Kumaa
- 1884 - 1884 Owusu Koko (chairman Kumasehyiamu)
- 1884 - 1887 Akyampon Panyin (chairman Kumasehyiamu Council)
- 1887 - 1888 Owusu Sekyere II (regent)
- 1888 - 1896 Kwaku Dua III Asamu
- 1896 - 1900 Opoku Mensa (chairman Committee of Administration)
The British disbanded the Ashanti confederacy in 1900, merging it with the Gold Coast colony. The office of Asantehene was discontinued.
In 1926 the British permitted the heir to the Golden Stool to adopt the tile Kumasehene.
- 1926 - 1931 Agyeman Prempe I
- 1931 - 1931 Kwaku Dua (regent)
- 1931 - 1935 Otumfuo Nana Osei Agyeman Prempe II
In 1935 the British allowed the position of Asantehene to be revived, but in a purely ceremonial role.
- 1935 - 1970 Otumfuo Nana Osei Agyeman Prempe II
- 1970 - 1999 Otumfuo Nana Opoku Ware II
- 1999 - 1999 Nana Osei Bonsu II (regent)
- 1999 - present Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II