Asantehene

Molefi Kete Asante

The Asantehene is the paramount king of the Asante people of Ghana. In previous eras, the Asantehene had far more power than he holds today. Now the kingship referred to as the King of Asante is more symbolic and ceremonial than in the past, when the Asantehene held the power of life or death in his hands. This entry describes the leader's significance, the Golden Stool that he is charged with protecting, and the mode of selection. Opemsuo Osei Tutu I was the first king to be crowned as the supreme ruler, the king of kings of all Asante. There were regional and town kings before Osei Tutu I, but no one exercised all authority over the whole of Asante until the enstoolment of Osei Tutu I in 1701. Since that time, 16 paramount kings of Asante have ruled the nation. In 1999, Osei Tutu II became the Asantehene. The ...

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