Akrafena

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Akrafena
State Gifts Presentation Sword.JPG
20th Century akrafena. Gold-ring pommel.
More elaborate Ashanti swords have adinkra symbols in the ring and on the blade.
Type Sword / Fighting Knife / Machete
Place of originAshanti
Production history
Produced Ashanti City-State (1670–1902) to present
Specifications
Blade lengthapprox. 70–73 centimetres (28–29 in)

An Akrafena (Ashanti sword ) is an Ashanti sword, originally meant for warfare but also forming part of Ashanti heraldry. The foremost example of an akrafena is the Mponponsuo (meaning "responsibility"), which belonged to Opoku Ware II. [1] It has survived to the present day because it is still occasionally used in ceremonies, such as the Akwasidae Festival.

Contents

The expert use of akrafena is also a martial art, utilising the blade in conjunction with knives, improvised weapons, street-fighting, hand-to-hand combat, joint locks, grappling and weapon disarming techniques, as well as using the martial art of akrafena unarmed. The akrafena martial art is the national sport of the Ashanti Region.

Design

The sword has three parts: a blade, usually made of some metal such as iron; a hilt of carved wood or metal; and the sheath, usually made of animal hide like leopard, leather and electric eel skin.

The blade in ritual swords may not have a sharp cutting edge. It often has incised lines or Ashanti symbolic designs on it, which evoke specific messages. Some swords have double (afenata) or triple (mfenasa) blades.

The hilt may be wrapped with gold leaf with various Ashanti symbols worked onto it. The hilt itself may be carved to encode an Ashanti symbol.

The sheath may carry an embossment (abosodee) that comprises Ashanti symbols meant to evoke certain expressive messages. The mpomponsuo (responsibility) sword of the Asantehene , for example, has an embossment of a coiled snake with a bird in its mouth. This conveys the Ashanti message: the puff adder that cannot fly has caught the hornbill that flies. This is used to symbolize patience, prudence, and circumspection.

Types

The Ashanti Akrafena King's messenger sword (Fante, Anomabu, Ghana), World Museum Liverpool.JPG
The Ashanti Akrafena

Traditionally there are about five to six types of Ashanti swords with some better known than others:

Kɛtɛanomfena: Literally meaning swords on the edge of bed. They are placed at the edge of the king's bed when he goes to sleep. Additionally, they are placed on the edges of the apakan (palanquin) when the king rides in it as part of a procession. Kɛtɛanofena are further subdivided into two sets: akrafena (swords of the soul) and abosomfena (deity swords) [2]

Akrafena as weapons

History

Bonoman Kingdom (10th century AD) and the Ashanti Empire States (13th century AD to 21st century)

A Denkyira Akrafena Denkyira Kingdom Artifact- Brass Sword.jpg
A Denkyira Akrafena

Bonoman long swords were used primarily by Ashanti cavalry and commanders not infantry during the 10th to 15th centuries, which explains how Akrafena has and still is linked to nobility. In the 16th century and at the time of Denkyira, Akyem and Akwamu land warfare consisted mostly of spearmen and bowmen on foot and mounted swordsmen with Akan long swords (Afenatene). Ashanti Swords were not a primary weapon for all Ashanti combat but were mostly for Ashanti shock attacks, defensive strokes and close combat. Blades were heavy as they were made of bronze and later iron, and pommels were often knobbed and used as balances. Short swords may have been used in follow-up attacks, as short sword carriers were armoured completely and accompanied with a shield.

Ashanti Akrafena Swords with wooden or metal pommels decorated with beaten gold have featured in Ashanti court regalia since the 17th century AD. Ashanti Swords were used during Ashanti wars since the 17th century. The Ashantis were engaged in a series of military conflicts from the 18th century AD, between Ashanti City-State military forces and African states and European states up until the 20th century.

In the 21st century, the Ashanti Swords are primarily by Ashantis for self-defense, and the Ashanti Akrafena (Ashanti Sword of war) is primarily used for Ashanti warfare and land warfare.

During the Empire of Ashanti period, Ashanti swords also had ranks (hierarchy) depending on who wielded them and what their purpose was. The highest ranking of these swords was known as the Mpomponsuo, literally meaning "responsibility sword." Only two such swords existed and were wielded by the King's two bodyguards, who always stood on either side of him and held the nobility title of Ankobia.

Ashanti swords of war (twenty-first century): changing needs and tactics

The Ashanti Akrafena (Sword of my Soul) was generally held in the hand by Ashanti Asafos. There was no real reason to hold it on their sides. However, they did strap it to their back at times when they were traveling through the rain-forest regions of Ashanti City-State or using other weapons such as spears and bows. The Ashanti sword was first and foremost one-handed, though for more powerful strikes, two hands were used. The Ashanti techniques were generally hand and a half .

Swordsmen Ranks

Asafo who are swordsmen in Akanland and in the Asantehene's court progress through four tiers of rank, at times referred to as levels, of their swordsmanship. There are:

 •Afenasoafoo:Afenasoafoo is a child, an Akofo-in-training. They are sword-bearers in the Akan court [5]

 •Adumfoo:Adumfoo is an apprentice. They are Executioners in the Akan court [5]

 •Akofo Asafo: Akanland's Warriors / Professional Soldiers. They are master swordsmen in the Akan court and military. [5] They could form groups of warriors, mercanaries and/or soldiers

 •Akofo Abrafoo: They are the Military Police of the Akan. Abrafoo is interchangeably referred to as "Akofo", also master swordsman, but are of a higher rank than the Akofo Asafo. [5] One Abrafoo group, and possibly all abrafoo groups, have Abrani, Atano God of Executioners, as their patron deity. It is usually their job to protect the wives of the Asantehene. [2]

 •Akofo Ankobia: The highest rank an Akan swordsman can achieve. They are the Akanland's special forces. The Ankobia is the oldest, most experienced and best trained of all Akofo. They served as special forces and bodyguards to the Asantehene. They served as a source of intelligence for suppressing rebellion. An Ankobia is chosen by the Akofo (Swordsmen) council [5]

Other Swordmen/Guard ranks

Executions

For the Atoprɛfoɔ, execution was in the form of bodily mutilations and gradual bleeding of the convict until he passed out due to the loss of blood. When the convict was paraded in the streets, they would, for instance, ask him, “have you seen the skin on your back before?” Then they would cut the skin on his back and show it to him. “Have you seen your ear before?” They would cut his ear and show it to him. While they were parading the condemned person in the streets, one of the atɔpre chief's nephews would be dancing in front of the condemned man. He is the only one who is allowed to dance and individuals who were tempted to dance faced harsh penalties of fines or death. One of the most famous of his nephews was Anin Agyei and that gave rise to the saying: Anin Agyei a odi atɔfoɔ kan (Anin Agyei who leads the condemned). This would continue until they returned to the palace where the Asantehene would confirm and congratulate them for performing atoprɛ. Because the chief's hand would be covered with human blood, he would not shake Otumfoɔ's hand. This tradition continues to today even though they no longer perform atoprɛ nor perform executions. The condemned person was not allowed be killed nor should he pass away until he is presented in his mutilated and bleeding state to Otumfoɔ. The Atoprɛhene would face serious consequences should a condemned person die before they returned to the palace. Function: They are always available to protect Abenwa (the Gold Stool) and in the absence of Abenwa, they protect Otumfoɔ's akonwa (chair) during akwasidae ceremonies or dwabɔ. [2]

Akrafena as an Ashanti national symbol

Ashanti ritual Afentene or ritual Akrafena (Sword) c. 18th century COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Ceremonieel ijzeren zwaard TMnr 4922-1a.jpg
Ashanti ritual Afentene or ritual Akrafena (Sword)
c. 18th century

The Akrafena also an Ashanti national symbol, adopted by Ashanti City-State's emperor-king Asantehene Opoku Ware I in 1723. In this context it is known as Akofena. [6] [7]

Heraldic description

Ashanti ritual Akrafena (Sword) c. 19th - 20th century Brooklyn Museum 69.53 Sword Akrafena.jpg
Ashanti ritual Akrafena (Sword)
c. 19th – 20th century

The Blazon: The akrafena is used in conjunction with the stool blackening ceremony. Nsuaefena is used in the political ceremony of taking the oath of office by the king and in the swearing oaths of allegiance by subjects of Ashanti City-State. The akrafena also may be carried as a heraldic device, by the Ashanti emperor's-king's emissaries on Ashanti City-State diplomatic missions. In such situations the meaning associated with the symbol embossed on the sheath conveys the message of the mission. Blade of an afenatene sword showing the akoma (heart), denkyem (crocodile), akuma (axe) and the sankofa bird. [8]

The Ashanti national symbol Akrafena description:

The Akrafena as an Ashanti national symbol has the escutcheon meaning; Akrafena ("Symbol of courage, valor, and heroism").

History

The Ashanti Akrafena sword as an Ashanti City-State national symbol was used by the Asantehene in taking the oath of office as ruler of Ashanti City-State. The Omanhene used the Ashanti Akrafena sword to swear the oath of allegiance to the Asantehene and Ashanti City-State. [6] The Ashanti Akrafena sword is one of the four principal state swords of the Ashanti City-State. The first Ashanti Akfrafena sword was created by Asantehene Nana Opoku Ware I (r. 1731 – 1742), and is the foremost example of Akrafena. The mpomponsuo sword symbolizes Responsibility, Power, Loyalty, Bravery, and Authority. [6]

Akrafena as martial art

Akrafena
The National Archives UK - CO 1069-34-80 1 001.jpg
Chief sword bearer to King of Bekwai an Ashanti City-State c.  1890s.
Also known asAkrafena
Akofena
Focus Sword fighting
Knife fighting
Unarmed combat
Street-fighting
Striking attacks
Clinch-fighting
Hardness Eclectic / Hybrid
Country of originFlag of Ashanti.svg  Ashanti
Creator Ashanti City-State
Famous practitioners Osei Tutu I
Osei Tutu II
Olympic sportNo

There are Ashanti City-State schools that hold the techniques of these swords practitioners in the past. The schools hold the genuine Ashanti Swords techniques. [5]

It is said that there were 20 fighting postures in training; The Ashanti people practitioners of the past generally used low kicking techniques to distract, dismantle and disable the opponent when holding the sword in one hand and sheath in the other. The sword-based fighting techniques is similar in part to that of Colombian grima and Tire machèt, while the combat hand-techniques and kicking techniques is similar in part to that of Capoeira. [5] [9] [10]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Okomfo Anokye (c.1655-c.1717?/c.1719) was the first priest (Okomfo) of the Ashanti Empire. Anokye is known for his participation in the expansion of the empire. He was also the codifier of the constitution and laws of the Ashanti Empire.

Opoku Ware I was the 2nd Asantehene of Oyoko heritage, who ruled the Ashanti Empire. Between 1718 and 1722, Opoku Ware became Asantehene during a period of civil disorder after the death of the 1st Asanthene. From 1720 to 1721, Opoku established his power.

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The Golden Stool is the royal and divine throne of kings of the Ashanti people and the ultimate symbol of power in Asante. According to legend, Okomfo Anokye, High Priest and one of the two chief founders of the Asante Confederacy, caused the stool to descend from the sky and land on the lap of the first Asante king, Osei Tutu. Such seats were traditionally symbolic of a chieftain's leadership, but the Golden Stool is believed to house the spirit of the Asante nation—living, dead and yet to be born.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akyem</span> Akan ethnic group in Ghana

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opoku Ware II</span> Asantehene of Asanteman

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asante people</span> Nation and ethnic group in Ghana

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Osei Tutu Agyeman Prempeh II</span> Asantehene

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References

  1. ↑ Fraser, Douglas (2004). African Art and Leadership. University of Wisconsin Press. p. 145. ISBN   9780299058241.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Iii, Kwasi Ampene and Nana Kwadwo Nyantakyi (2016). "Engaging Modernity: Asante in the Twenty-First Century". Maize Books. doi:10.3998/maize.14689915.0001.001. ISBN   978-1-60785-366-4.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Collins and Burns (2007), p. 140.
  4. 1 2 "sword | British Museum". The British Museum. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Davidson (1991), p. 242.
  6. 1 2 3 Symbols of Ashanti: Akofena
  7. ↑ Ashanti Community, Society, History and Culture
  8. ↑ Akua, Nana; Opokuwaa, Kyerewaa (2005). Ashanti Protocol: Remembering the Traditions of Our Ancestors. iUniverse. ISBN   978-1-4759-2048-2.
  9. ↑ "'En Garde' Takes On New Urgency In A Duel With Machetes". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-08-20.
  10. ↑ "History and origin of Colombian grima" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-08-20.
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