A History of the Fante people of Ghana

An image of a Fante chief and his entourage 

Origin and Migration of the Fante states

The Origin and Migration of the Fante The Fante are another important group of people who did not create a unified state. Today the Fante occupy parts of the southern portion of the Central Region. It was in the seventeenth century that the Fante states, as we know them, were created. According to Fante oral traditions, the ancestors of the Fante lived originally in Takyiman in Brong Ahafo. From there the people migrated towards the coast in five groups led by three old priests, Obunumankoma, Odapagyan and Oson. They founded a settlement at Mankessim, about 10 kilometres from the coast. This must have occurred before the end of the fifteenth century. The five groups lived in separate quarters or sections of Mankessim. These were Kurentsi Aman, Abora, Anyan, Ekumfi and Nkusukum. They were later joined by Gomoa and Ajumako. The three traditional priests of the Fante died at Mankessim and were all buried at a common graveyard. This area later became a place where the Fante worshipped their heroes. They call it “Nananom Mpoom”, meaning “the grove of our fathers” at Mankessim.

Image of the three Fante Warlords 

Factors for the Rise of the Fante States.

The following factors can be attributed to the rise of the Fante states.

1.     Population Pressure

With the increase in population, it became very clear that the fertile part of Mankessim could not sustain an increasing population and this compelled some sections of the Fante people to look elsewhere. The Fante gave the names of the various Mankessim quarters from which they migrated to the new towns or states they went to create. For example, the people from Abora quarter went northwest and founded the modern state of Abora. The Ekumfi went southeast to the coast to found Ekumfi state. Likewise the Nkusukum went south-west to found the state of that name. The Anyan moved north and founded the state of Anyan Manmu. Eater, the subsidiary settlements of Anyan Denkyera, Anyan Abasa and Esiam were founded. The Gomoa went east to found the Gomoa state, and likewise the Ajumako moved north-east to found the state of that name.

2.     The European Trade

The benefit from the European trade was another reason for the dispersion. Those leaving Mankessim saw that they could benefit more from the European trade if they founded independent settlements in the immediate surroundings or closer to the coastal towns where the European trading posts were located. They also hoped to become middlemen between the white traders and the hinterland.

3.     Political Rivalry

Political rivalry, culminating in instability marked the middle 17^th century history of the Fante. All the Fante states claimed equal status and no one was willing to remain subservient to one another or surrender her sovereignty to another. This misunderstanding forced the groups to disperse in various directions.

4.     Trans-Atlantic Trade

During the Trans-Atlantic Trade, the Fante embarked on wars of expansion. Between 1706 and 1724 they attacked and defeated the states of Eguaso, Fetu, Cabes Terra, Asebu and Agona and raided for slaves. The Fante also traded with the Europeans along the coast. This led to the expansion and rise of the Fante states.

5.     The Role of Middlemen 

Again, the Fante wanted the coastal people to play the role of middlemen between the inland producers of gold, ivory and slaves and the European traders. Their action was to acquire profit and also to control the northward movement of guns and gunpowder. This led to the rise of the Fante states.

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