Okomfo Anokye

According to Akuapem (Guan) tradition, Kwame Frimpong-Manson Anokye (a.k.a. Okomfo Anokye) was the son of Ano, a quiet and physically weak father, and Manubea, an energetic, talkative and sentimental mother (Some texts say his father’s name was Agya Annor, whilst his mother’s was Maarne Nkob). They were native of Awukugua, a town in the “Nifa” (Right) Division of the Akuapem state in Eastern Region. It is said that when Okomfo Anokye was born, he was holding in his right hand a short white tail of a cow (bodua) and he also clenched the left fist and no could open it. The woman who went to deliver the laboring mother tried to open it because she suspected there was something in it. The father was called in to assist, and immediately the father came in and touched the hand of Okomfo Anokye, he opened his hand staring at the father and said, “Ano… kye,” meaning in the Guan language “Ano… look.” He gave what he was holding to his father, and it was alleged it was a talisman. From this incident, Kwame got his name, “Anokye”.

Some other traditions state that when Kwame was born, he already had both teeth and beard, and was able to speak and walk. It is also said that one night, when Kwame was still a child, his parents were roused from sleep by the cry of a child. They went out and found that it was Kwame who was crying and walking about in the yard. On consulting a medicine man, they were told that the child went out to eat. Oracular interpretations revealed that he was no ordinary human being but a god and there for a special mission. Denkyira War

Much of the history of the Ashanti people’s origins is shrouded in legend. According to traditional accounts, in the late 1600s Osei Tutu and Okomfo Anokye of Kumasi organized a rebel group of peoples who were subject to the Denkyira, including the Bekwai, Dwaben, Kokofu, Kumasi, Kumawu, Mampon, and Nsuta. This rebel group became known as the Ashanti, from Osa nti—meaning those brought together “because of war.” In order to win this war a very important man, Ashanti man, chief of Kumawu, volunteered himself to be sacrificed for the victory of the Ashanti. He said the victory of the Ashanti was more important than his life. He was therefore sacrificed and the Ashanti won the war in 1701. The Denkyirahene was later captured and be-headed. Death of Okomfo Anokye

There are many stories surrounding the death/disappearance of Okomfo Anokye. One of them says he went searching for a medicine for death, and while he was gone, the shot guns and blew trumpets to acknowledge his death, which he had told them not to do. As a result, he withheld the medicine from man and disappeared. Another says he was poisoned after eating a forbidden food, given to him by an unfaithful woman. Some of the forbidden foods were fish, goat meat, and dog meat.