Nana Yaa Asantewaah The Queen Mother Of Ejisu Nana Opoku Aiafe

Nana Yaa Asantewaa, who was the leader and commander-in-Chief of the fifth and final Anglo-Ashanti War, which lasted from 1900-1901.

To most Western scholars, she is known as Africa’s Joan of Arc. But what were the circumstances that led to her extraordinary decision to become the most dangerous woman in that region of Africa, and commandeer the entire Ashanti army against the greatest colonial power at the time, the British?

The Ashanti Confederacy was one of the most sophisticated Kingdoms in Africa at the time in terms of its influence, wealth and organisation; it was established in 1701 by the first Asantehene (King), Osei Tutu, who led an army and defeated the regional power at that time, and united the individual Village-States into a united Confederacy. This Ashanti State establishment also has some mythology attached; Asantehene Osei Tutu’s right hand man and High Priest Okomfo Anokye, was said to have called forth the Golden Stool, the symbol of the Ashanti throne, from the sky, and it was reputed to have fallen into Osei Tutu’s lap, confirming his ascendency to the throne.