THE MISSION AND EXEMPLARY LIVES OF THE TRADITIONAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS

The African Traditional Religion has many prominent leaders in society. We must know and appreciate
their exemplary lives. Prominent among them are

1. Okomfo Anokye

2 Tweneboa Kodua

3. Togbe Tsali

4. Egya Ahor

OKOMFO ANOKYE

Okomfo Anokye was born on a Saturday in the 1600's in Awukugwa, Akwapim. History has it that his
parents came from Awukugwa, Akwapim (Akwamu Kingdom) in present day Eastern Region. His father's
name was Egya Ano and the mother was Maame Kobe. Okomfo Anokye was originally called Kwame
Frimpong Manso Anokye. He was a famous fetish priest in Asanteman during the reign of Nana Osei Tutu
1. Many people through oral history believed that he had an amulet ("suman") in his hands when he was
born. This was accounted for his supernatural powers. He was considered as a co-founder of the Ashanti
Empire. He was introduced to Nana Osei Tutu I by a maternal uncle.

His Contribution to the Ashanti Empire

1. Okomfo Anokye became the spiritual leader, chief priest and advisor to NanaOSEI Tutu I when he as-
cended the kingship in 1690. Working together they united the Ashanti’s and conquered many new terri-
tories. They were successful in the Ashanti expansionary policy. They organized a powerful army that de-
feated two powerful kingdoms namely the Denkyiras and Akan Dormas in Brong Ahafo today

2. Okomfo Anokye employed not only his political influence of his priesthood, but also his spiritual pow-
ers and ties of his people. This led to great transformation of the loose Ashanti alliances to a strong and
vibrant force that spread from the northern half to the southern part of the country. The Asante Nation
Union was formed in 1695 through his co-operation with Nana Osei Tutu 1.

3. He established rituals and customs of the Ashanti Nation States or Union to reduce the influence of
other local traditions and customs.

4. Kumasi was designated as the capital city of the Ashanti Empire. This paved way for the establishment
of a Council of Chiefs of Asante and various alliances with the chiefs and people within their protection.
5. He supported Nana Osei Tutu to re-organize the Ashanti army to a well disciplined and fearsome insti-
tution. The organization of the army largely contributed to their battle successes against the smaller and
not well organized ethnic groups. For example, the war against the Denkyiras in 1699 to 1701 was won
when his incantations produced defections and confusion among the generals in the Denkyira army

6. Okomfo Anokye also performed many miracles.

Some of the miracles Okomfo Anokye performed

1. He walked through rain without getting wet.

2. He cured barren women.

4. He made food appear from thin air.

3. He walked across the length of a suspended silk string.

5. He hit raw egg against a wall without the shell breaking.

6. He commanded the Golden stool from the sky in the presence of the Asante Traditional Council at a
durbar held at Kumasi. It landed on the feet of Nana Osei Tutu. The Golden stool is called "Sika Agua
Kofi" (Friday Golden stool.). This stool came from the sky on Friday, hence, the name Kofi. The Golden
stool is the symbol of Asante Unity and holds the souls of all Ashantis.

7. He came out from a locked building without using the windows or doors.

8. He hit the ground with his flywhisk ("bodua") and water began to flow.

9. He suspended a drum in mid-air without any ropes or other physical support

10. Okomfo Anokye planted a plantain sucker, it grew, matured and was harvestedon the same day.

11. He used his finger nails to curve holes in a stone. The holes are used to play oware, a local game.

12. Okomfo Anokye fixed a sword in the soil in Bantama (Ashanti Region) and all effort to remove it
proved futile. The sword is still fixed at the same position it was placed. it is believed that this great tradi-
tional leader died at Kyirapatre in Kumasi when he ate a forbidden food prepared for him by his wife.
Others believe that when Nana Osei Tutu I died in 1717, Okomfo Anokye was so sad. He then decided to
take a journey to the unknown world to look for an antidote (cure or therapy) for death. He had since
not returned.

Useful lessons to be learnt from the life of Okomfo Anokye

1. He was selfless

2. He was patriotic

3. He showed love to everybody

4. He was very kind

5. He was dedicated to his people

6. He was a peacemaker

7. He was courageous

8. He worked very hard

ACTIVITY 1.5: Pupils in groups discuss the teachings of the leaders of the three main religions

TWENEBOA KODUA

> Tweneboa Kodua was a traditional ruler in the Ashanti Empire. He was the paramount Chief of Ku-
mawu in Ashanti Region. He was dedicated to the progress and expansion of the Ashanti Kingdom.

▸ History has it that during his reign, the Ashantis were preparing to go to war with the Denkyiras. They
consulted the gods through Okomfo Anokye. It became clear that they can only win the war when a
prominent personality with the status of Nana Osei Tutu I was sacrificed to the gods. This became a big
challenge to the kingdom. Nana Tweneboa Kodua offered himself up to be sacrificed for the impending
victory. Nana Tweneboa Kodua was beheaded as a sacrifice to the gods. The Ashantis finally defeated the
Denkyiras after four years of battle.

> During the war, the Ashantis did not only defeat the Denkyiras, but their powerful king Nana Ntim
Gyakari was captured and killed

> In spite of the many casualties or loss of lives on both sides, the success of the Ashantis over their bit-
terest enemies, the Denkyiras was attributed to the human sacrifice that Tweneboa Kodua made for the
Asante Kingdom

>This single feat by Nana Tweneboa Kodua to Asanteman made him one of the sacrifice that Tweneboa
Kodua made him one of the famous traditional religious leaders in Ghana.
Useful lessons to be learnt from the life of Tweneboa Kodua

1. He was courageous

2. He was patriotic

3. He sacrificed his life for the Ashanti Kingdom

4. He was selfless

5. He was kind to people

6. He was loyal

TOGBE TSALI

Togbe Tsali was a great Anlo Traditional leader who had super natural powers. He was a member of the
Tsiame royal clan of present day Volta Region. He lived during the reign of the wicked king called Agorkoli
at Notsie. As a result of the wicked treatment the people received from their king, he decided to run
away to a new location (Ewe land) with some of the people. He transformed himself into a flying spirit
and surveyed the Ewe land. On his return, Tsali convinced the people that the land is good; hence, they
should run at night and posses it. Late in the night, they poured water on the land to make it dust free in
order to escape without being detected. When king Agorkoli realized the next day that most of his peo-
ple had fled, he organized his army to chase them and bring them back. However, on their way, Togbe
Tsali asked the people to move backwards. This confused the soldiers because they could not determine
the direction the people moved. Other account has it that he changed into a mouse and changed the di-
rection of their footprints in order to confuse the soldiers of king Agorkoli. When they arrived at the Ewe
land, he took to farming and hunting. He cleared a large portion of land in a day, caused rain to fall on
the land. He planted maize which matured and was harvested on the same day.

> Since there was no rain on the other farm lands, the people were forced to buy food from him alone.
This made the people unhappy because he had used his supernatural power to satisfy his selfish ends.
Due to the disaffection among the people against Tsali, they decided to kill him. They captured him, cut
him into pieces and buried him. But three days after the burial, he was seen walking around his com-
pound going about his chores. The people were surprised. They recaptured him, cut him into two pieces
and tied stones on the body and dumped it into the River Volta. Three days after, he was seen riding on
the back of a crocodile on the river.
> He told his people that no person born of a woman could kill him. This improved the relationship be-
tween him and his people. He then used his supernatural powers to the benefit of the people. When he
was about to die, he asked the people to erect two shrines in his memory. They should call him at the
shrines when they needed his assistance and help. His request was granted by the people after he died
in his sleep. The two shrines still exist in the Volta Region today where faithful worship and call on him
during times of difficulty.

Useful lessons to be learnt from the life of Togbe Tsali

1. He was patriotic

2. He was courageous

3. He showed commitment to his people

4. He was a peacemaker

5. He was very kind

6. He was dedicated

7. He showed love to everybody

8. He was loyal

EGYA (OSOFO) AHOR

> Egya Ahor was the chief priest of the Fante state god called Akyen. He was among the eminent Fante
leader who led the Fantes in their migration from Techiman to their present settlement. He operated
from his shrine called "Akyen" where people consulted the gods and oracles and sought medical treat-
ment for their ailments.

➤ He prepared many medicinal herbs and concoctions that protected the people

from many diseases, evil spirits, calamities and infections. He also predicted times and seasons for the
people to help them in their farming and fishing expeditions. He could tell when there will be rain,
drought, windy conditions and bush fires. This enabled the people to plan their activities without fear of
climatic failure.
➤ During the Akyenmu festival, he offered sacrifices and poured libation on behalf of the people. This
gave them protection and divine direction.

>He ensured that there was always peace and unity among the Fantes. He planted a tree which symbol-
ized peace in Fante land. He devoted much of his time to the service of the Fante state.

➤He was a great farmer and a hunter. He assisted the poor and the needy with his wealth e.g. farm pro-
duce. He performed his religious duties diligently. He placed his intelligence and talents at the disposal of
his people

> He became famous when he decided to give himself up to be sacrificed for his people during a serious
epidemic. The chiefs and elders of the Fante state met at Mankessim and realized that the only solution
to the crisis was a human sacrifice.

> Egya Ahor offered himself to be sacrificed to the gods to bring an end to the epidemic when nobody
was willing to do so. Before his death, he ordained his son, Edufor as his successor.

> Egya Ahor was sent to a shrine and sacrificed at 3.00 pm on Friday, May 3 at Mankessim. The strange
disease stopped soon after he had been sacrificed

> The Fantes instituted an annual festival called "Ahobaa" to remember the sacrifice. Egya Ahor made for
his people. The festival is celebrated every year in May or early June.

Useful lessons to be learnt from the life of Agya Ahor

1. He was patriotic

2. He was courageous

3. He showed commitment to his people

4. He was a peacemaker

5. He was very kind

6. He was dedicated

7. He showed love to everybody

8. He was selfless

9. He was loyal