Asante Tribe
The Asante, also known as Ashanti, are part of the Akan ethnic group and native to the Ashanti region of modern-day Ghana. The Asante live in an area centered in the city of Kumasi.
They speak the Twi language of the Niger-Congo language family. Once the rulers of a mighty empire, the Asante preserved many of their historical traditions.
The Asante are also the largest tribe in Ghana and one of the few matrilineal societies in West Africa. The area of Asante is 9,400 square miles, with a population of over one million.
Source: Maxwell Jennings
Asante Marriage Traditions and Cultures
Marriage in Asante is beyond the concern of the man and the woman alone, but an elaborate affair of both parents and relatives. Its effects on each partner’s lineage (Abusua) are far-reaching; hence, for any marriage to be successful, the sanction and approval of both lineage heads (Abusua Panyin) are paramount.
This is in per peso with the parent’s overwhelming influence over Asante’s marriage. They are ultimately responsible for the guidance of their children in choosing a suitable life partner wisely.
Acquisition of a Wife
The Asante tradition allows for various types of marriage. A man may have married his wife through several means and circumstance, which includes; courting and wooing (Mpena-Twee), early childhood betrothal (Asiwaa), inheritance marriage to a widow (Kuna-Baa), and marriage to a female twin (Nt aa) among several others.
For a marriage to be recognized as lawful and carry with it the rights, duties, and privileges accorded by society, the contracting parties must comply with certain conditions.
These conditions must be adhered to before a marriage can be considered lawful. The performance of these successive rites and ritual leads to the consummation of a customary legal marriage in Asante. This will be a significant subject of discourse in the subsequent paragraph.
Ahu-de or Aboboom-de (Door-Knocking)
This is the first stage of the Asante traditional wedding after identifying a partner (bride). Door knocking is the first step in the marriage process and symbolizes respect in the direction of unifying two families.
The bridegroom, accompanied by his family, introduces himself formally to his in-laws and states his marriage intentions by presenting one bottle of gin or schnapps to the girl’s father and another bottle of gin or schnapps to her Abusua-Panyin (lineage head), or the girl’s mother’s uncle, as the case may be. It is to be noted that Ahu-De, which means door knocking, merely accords recognition to an intent to marry.
Ay-yo-de (Formal Gifts presentation)
The formal presentation of marriage gifts, Ay-yo-de, by the bridegroom. Customary presentation of marriage gifts follows the formal introduction of the bridegroom to his parents-in-law (Ahu-de).
These marriage gifts include drinks (may be given in its cash equivalent, the amount varying in different localities), a whole Oiwee (antelope), and some cooking salt Nkyene. Cash is given as customary nuptual gifts (Ay-yo-de), and the amounts shown may vary slightly in localities.
Tiri-Nsa (Head Drink)
It is to be emphasized that giving TIRI-NSA (head drink) is the most important of all formalities in the Asante customary marriage tradition. It is this formality whose performance establishes a lawful marriage as recognized by society.
Drinks to formalize Asante’s customary legal marriage vary in detail with different settlements. While in the case of Kwaku village, six pots of palm wine and two bottles of gin were required, in another locality, an established cash value must accompany the drink.
Aduan-Kesee (Presentation of Matrimonial Meal)
Soon after the giving of Tiri-Nsa the new bride prepares her Aduan-Kesee (big meal). Now, as in former days, the meal comprises sumptuous Asante dishes like Nkate-Nkwan (groundnut soup) and Abe-Nkwan (palm nut soup). The bride prepares and presents this meal to her groom as he eats to his satisfaction.
Anyame-Dwan
This stage is the part where the bridegroom offers a sheep to the bride’s father. It was held that a father’s Kraa ne N’abosom (his soul and his gods) guarded a daughter against childhood to maturity and, for that reason, he should be given a sheep (but its cash equivalent in these days).
The sheep was to be killed by the father for his ‘soul and gods,’ both in appreciation of their care and guardianship of the woman and to solicit their blessing on the marriage.
ASIWAA
In addition to all Asante customary marriage payments, gifts, and presentations in respect to a customary marriage (Mpena-Twee), a man who acquired a wife by early childhood betrothal (Asiwaa), is obligated on her reaching the age of puberty to present her with eggs, salt, palm oil, and other articles at her nubility rites ceremony.
Wedding Proceeding
Once the customary conditions (including the bride price) are met, along with the consent of the girl and her parents, a wedding date is set.
On the morning of the marriage, the bride dresses up in her best dress, adorned with gold ornaments, and is led by her mother to the bridegroom’s house, where they thank him for all his gifts.
They leave and later return when the village chief says a few words and performs a short ceremony, including a customary sip. After this short ritual, the wedding feast, accompanied by dancing and singing, continues till midnight.
