Historical and Socio-Cultural Significance of the Ahenemma Mpaboa in the Asante Royal Regalia

Abstract

The Ahenemma Mpaboa or royal sandals are the second most valuable artifact in the Asante royal regalia that define the authority of a chief in the Asante Kingdom of Ghana. Unfortunately, little is known of the Ahenemma Mpaboa as an important cultural symbol that defines royalty in the Asante Kingdom. Therefore, this ethnographic study under the qualitative research approach was carried out to investigate the history, philosophy, purpose, types and socio-cultural relevance of the Ahenemma Mpaboa in the Asante community. Semi-structured interviews and observation were the main data collection instruments that were analysed using the qualitative thematic analysis. The data were garnered from Abrempong, Mfekutire, chiefs, elders, royal attendants, members of the royal households as well as vendors and craftsmen of the Ahenemma Mpaboa. The Ahenemma Mpaboa’s origin is tied to a historical event that happened to Nana Nketia Tim Abamoo, Queen mother to the first Asantehene, Nana Osei Tutu I. The types, colours, shapes and designs of the Ahenemma Mpaboa are symbolic reflections of the accepted cultural values in the Asante Kingdom that play significant socio-cultural roles in the community. The study contends that there is a strong symbolic connection between the Ahenemma Mpaboa and the chiefs of the Asante. It is a powerful regalia of the Asantes that exemplifies their philosophy and worldview while projecting their religious, sociocultural and political structure. The study recommends the development of a robust digital archiving system on Asante stool regalia to serve as a hub for cultural education for both domestic and international tourists.