"They Tried To Steal Me and Here's What Happened" - The Mysterious Golden Stool.

For a better understanding, read first the arrival of the Golden Stool into the world HERE

The golden stool with other ornaments, displayed on Asantehene's throne. Photo: blackpast.org

The Golden Stool that housed the spirits of the early Southern Ghana people, a stool that united an entire empire, a sacred stool that was mysteriously brought down from the sky was targeted to be stolen. The tool that gave hope of spiritual protection needed to be protected. Sad.                        

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The War of the Golden Stool, also known as the Yaa Asantewaa War, was a violent battle between the United Kingdom and the Ashanti Empire. Asanti empire had now become Asanti region and was an autonomous state, in that they lived independently but co-existed with the British in the 19th Century. The British had effective control of present day Ghana and this gave rise to series of clashes between the Ashanti and the British Empire. They fought three wars between 1824 and 1874, within a span of 50years. The fighting arena was usually on prestigious ancient tombs and buildings.

Unfortunately, British had African allies, hence, they gained more control over Ashanti Territory. During the fourth war, the British and their Indian and African allies defeated the Ashanti, captured and sent to exile the ruling Asantehene as at that time. 

However, the final war (1900), which began as a rebellion, was led by the Queen Mother and Gate Keeper of the Golden Stool (Yaa Asantewaa). 

            A powerful black woman.

This war was propelled by the demand of the British Governor of the Gold Coast, Sir Frederick Mitchell Hodgson, to sit on the Golden Stool. Only rulers of the Asanti empire were qualified to sit on the stool. 

       

             Just imagine.

The fight was really intense, leading to the death of more than 2,000 Ashanti and 1,000 British and Allied troops. This was the highest number of casualties of all the wars that occured. The war lasted for six months. Yaa Asantewaa was captured and immediately exiled, she died in 1921.  

Amazingly, the British never captured the Golden Stool. It was then hidden by the Ashanti but was later discovered by a group of African railroad builders in 1920.  They removed its gold ornaments and were tried by the Ashanti and sentenced to death but, the British officials intervened and rather sent them on exile.

After so many attempts to have the Golden Stool, the British then realized its importance to the Ashanti. They then gave assurances that they would never interfere with it again. The Golden Stool was hence restored to its ceremonial place. 

The Golden Stool continues to be used in rituals crowning the Asantehene, although they're now considered traditional rulers without political power or influence.  Nonetheless, the Golden Stool remains a cherished symbol of the former Ashanti Empire.

THE END. 

Reference

¶ The Golden Stool (17th c.- ). BlackPast.org. https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/golden-stool-17th-c/