The Akan wars and the Sirian warrior model
August 2011

In my recent readings of Akan history, it amazes me how much the traditional Akan model of civilization mirrors the early civilization period of the Sirian Wolfish beings as described in Robert Morning Sky's Book II of the World's oldest religion. The Akan culture was a warrior culture. The stronger defeated the weaker. The defeated ruler was either killed or made to assume a subordinate role through domination. When killed, his "line" was sometimes wiped out. Sometimes a brother or in the case of the absence of a brother, a male cousin was installed as is the traditional method of succession among the Akan.

In pre-modern to colonial times, the strongest Akan states dominated the rest with constant threat of wars and the demand of tribute. The strongest Akan groups used coercion and duress to forge political links with weaker or less united Akan groups (often through swearing a 'fetish oath', for which the punishment for breaking the oath was death by spiritual means). Rebellions were rife so there was a constant state of war. Even when the Akan-Asante were dominant group, they were unable to control all the groups beneath them. This could be said for when the Denkyira were the strongest group in their region (before the rise of Asanteman).

The Akan were a warrior people. Allegiances were formed from friendships. Much of the "spiritual-'Tak-know-logy'" of the Akan found its application on the battlefield. Nature spirit powers took part in the wars of these people. One look at the the amount of spiritual applications used by Okomfo Anokye to help the Ashanti rise to greatness by means of war and the point I'm making will be clear. In fact this use of spiritual powers in warfare can be said to be true not only for the Akan but for many other West African ethnic groups. Many know the story about the Soso sorcerer-king Sumanguru Kante who was defeated by the Mande warrior-priest Sundiata Keita, using magical means. The Ga, the Ewe and many other groups also have historical anecdotes of how spirits associated with their groups have aided them in battle. So as a direct consequence of this, spirits that were allied with the losing group were 'captured' by winning group and sometimes put into their service.



(Photo credit: Internet)