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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Mobility in pre-colonial Asante from a historical perspective
Author:Perbi, AkosuaISNI
Year:1991
Periodical:Research Review
Volume:7
Issue:1-2
Pages:72-86
Language:English
Geographic term:Ghana
Subjects:social mobility
Ashanti polity
Abstract:There were avenues for vertical social, political and economic mobility in precolonial Asante (Ghana). These depended on a number of factors. The first was the personal will of the master or owner of an unfree person or slave. The second was the character of the unfree person. The third was the nature of the service rendered by the free commoner or the unfree person. Mobility in precolonial Asante was also circumstantial. Finally, mobility depended on the fact of one's birth. Although one could become an Asante through assimilation into the family, lineage and clan, or through adoption, being an Asante by birth was regarded as the most important. The creation of stools for people of low status at the king's court was therefore no casual gesture. It was a mark of great honour and the achievement of the highest mobility. Thirty-one out of 212 Asante stools were service stools (Esom Dwa) created for and occupied by free or unfree servants at the Asantehene's court. The process of status conversion in Asante was made possible by the Asante law attributed to Asantehene Osei Tutu (c. 1697-1717): 'No one should disclose the origin of another'. Notes, ref.
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