15.1.14

Gold jewelry of the Asante

King Otumfuo Osei Tutu, the 16th Asantehene, King of the Ashanti. Photo source

Seeing an Indian or Sumatran bride one may be overwhelmed by the amount of gold jewelry they are traditionally decorated with. But if one happens to see the king of Asante in all his ceremonial attire the impact will be even more impressive.
Asante (Ashanti) used to be one of the most successful and powerful kingdoms of West Africa. Natural gold resources brought wealth and influence to the country. Gold dust was the currency and gold objects were symbols of power and prestige. The wearing of gold jewels and gold decorated regalia was restricted to the king and major chiefs, and certain of their senior officials and servants. Gold-dust which had been accumulated during a successful career could only be turned into regalia with the king's permission. The amount, size and form of gold ornaments used by officials at each lever of the hierarchy was strictly determined.



Asante chiefs wearing gold ornaments. Photos source

This gold jewelry and regalia was usually seen only on special days when senior chiefs appeared in public heavily decorated with gold and wearing rich silk robes. The weight of gold that the king wore on his arms, wrists and fingers was so great that he was obliged to rest his hands on the heads of small boys who stood before him.
Gold jewels also served as badges to show the rank of the wearer. Circular gold plates suspended around the neck were usually worn by special royal servants called "king's souls". Crescentic gold pectorals were given as rewards to the priests of gods who were believed to have helped the Asante.

Asante gold necklace, 19th c. the British Museum

photo source

Asante goldsmiths created pieces of enormous delicacy and fineness. It is interesting that the finger- and toe-rings worn by chiefs were often made to call to mind well-known proverbs and aphorisms.
Gold regalia often featured in the reports of admiring European visitors to the Asante court in the early 19th century. In 1817 the British envoy Thomas Bowdich spent three months in Kumasi where he received a state reception. He left a vivid description of the richly ornate court of the Asantehene Osei Bonsu:
" the royal stool, entirely cased in gold, was displayed under a splendid umbrella, with drums, sankos [harp-lutes], horns and various musical instruments, cased in gold, about the thickness of cartridge paper; large circles of gold hung by scarlet cloth from the swords of state, the sheaths as well as the handles of which were also cased; hatchets of the same were intermixed with them; the breasts of the Ocrahs [soul-washers], and various attendants, were adorned with large stars, stools, crescents, and gossamer wings of solid gold."

photo  source

Asante ceremonial dancer in traditional royal attire. Photo source

Displays of gold objects can still be seen on ceremonial occasions in Kumasi, Ghana. The Asante monarchy continues as a constitutionally protected, sub-nation state and traditional state within Ghana. Asante king still rules over his people and on special days he bedazzles the crowd appearing in public all covered with royal gold from head to toes.

Related posts

If you enjoyed this post please like my page on Facebook. Thank you!

14 comments:

  1. Hi Olga
    I have nominated you for a sunshine award on the blog today. It would be great to hear your answers but I know how time consuming it can be! xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. wow. amazing. I can't believe it is all made of pure gold... It's a beautiful rare metal... I worked with 14K gold a couple of times -- loved it. Thank you for your post! Very informative!

    ReplyDelete
  3. thats just stunning about gold stuff. :) everything was pure in the previous times. Thank for the information and also for the beautiful comment.I will be praying for you and daughter <3
    Anyway, can you just be my culture fashion teacher? :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great post. The thing is that gold was so aboundant in west Africa that some important regalia ornament in that region were made in bronze and iron, also used as currency, because these materials were far less common than gold!

    www.ethnicadornment.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gee!!! That's amazing. Thx for sharing Olga. Thx for your comment Olga. I am glad I am not the only one who can't come up with a story about an outfit. Makes me feel less stupid.
    hugs sweetie
    Lenya
    FashionDreams&Lifestyle

    ReplyDelete
  6. My goodness, what amazing jewellery. Even gold on the flip flops! Very interesting, as always, thank you. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Amazing jewellery, however, actually it could be very difficult to wear!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am nearly dazzled by all these golden treasures. A fortune that the chiefs are strong men. The gold must weigh tons. My favorite is the frog ring - so cute!
    Have a nice weekend dear!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This post is amazing post in gold jewelry cash for gold

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like jewellers in london and specially this article of bracelet and have to view recently and there is really available lot of variety of jewellery, including engagement rings.

    Stone Items

    ReplyDelete
  11. I seriously really like studying and using the post when i see them very helpful and interesting. That post is equally helpful and also interesting. Thank you pertaining to info you also been donning making your website this kind of interesting.Jewelry

    ReplyDelete
  12. Online jewellery stores is often a matter of trust... so how do you know which you can trust? We give you a guide to finding scrupulous Melbourne jewellery stores and online jewellery stores today. Scottsdale diamonds

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great post I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this interesting and knowledgeable article. deals on jewelry

    ReplyDelete
  14. In the end, it is of prime importance to conclude that online jewelry stores isn't only going to fulfill your requirements out of the hot Diamonds, but it will also ensure that you can get the product that you want at the best possible price. sell diamonds phoenix

    ReplyDelete