Omanhene
Encyclopedia
In several Akan
nations of Ghana
, the Omanhene is the title of the supreme traditional ruler ('king') in a region or a larger town. The omanhene is the central figure and institution of the nation. He has no function in the Ghanaian state, but has an enormous effect on the people that constitute it.
The omanhene is a major land owner, and is the head of an essentially feudal system. He commits the land he theoretically holds in trust to caretakers
.
Omanhenes are appointed by queen mothers that are often but not necessarily their birth mothers. Dynastic succession tends to follow a matrilinial pattern. The exception to this is found, though, in the case of the Omanhene of Elmina
.
Not all Akan nations have the Omanhene as the supreme ruler. The Ashanti, for example, have as supreme ruler the Asantehene ('Emperor'), who is superior to the Omanhene.
'Hene' can be found in other titles of rulers in Ghanaian nations. For example, the chief of the Dagomba in the north of Ghana is known as the 'Dagombahene'.
Akan people
The Akan people are an ethnic group found predominately in Ghana and The Ivory Coast. Akans are the majority in both of these countries and overall have a population of over 20 million people.The Akan speak Kwa languages-Origin and ethnogenesis:...
nations of Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
, the Omanhene is the title of the supreme traditional ruler ('king') in a region or a larger town. The omanhene is the central figure and institution of the nation. He has no function in the Ghanaian state, but has an enormous effect on the people that constitute it.
The omanhene is a major land owner, and is the head of an essentially feudal system. He commits the land he theoretically holds in trust to caretakers
Property caretaker
A Property caretaker is a person, group or organization that cares for real estate for trade or financial compensation, and sometimes as a barter for rent-free living accommodations...
.
Omanhenes are appointed by queen mothers that are often but not necessarily their birth mothers. Dynastic succession tends to follow a matrilinial pattern. The exception to this is found, though, in the case of the Omanhene of Elmina
Elmina
Elmina, is a town in the Central Region, situated on a south-facing bay on the Atlantic Ocean coast of Ghana, about 12 km west of Cape Coast...
.
Not all Akan nations have the Omanhene as the supreme ruler. The Ashanti, for example, have as supreme ruler the Asantehene ('Emperor'), who is superior to the Omanhene.
'Hene' can be found in other titles of rulers in Ghanaian nations. For example, the chief of the Dagomba in the north of Ghana is known as the 'Dagombahene'.