King of Ashanti | |
---|---|
Asantehene ma Asanteman | |
Incumbent | |
Osei Tutu II since 26 April 1999 |
|
Details | |
Style | His – Your Majesty |
First monarch |
Osei Tutu Opemsoo 1701 to 1717 |
Formation | c. 1670 |
Residence | Manhyia Royal Palace |
Website | The Ashanti Monarchy |
The Asantehene is the absolute monarch of the Kingdom of Ashanti, its cultural region Ashantiland, and of the Ashanti (or Asante) people's ethnic group. The Ashanti royal house traces its line to the Oyoko (an Abusua, meaning "clan") Abohyen Dynasty of Nana Twum and the Beretuo Dynasty of Osei Tutu Opemsoo, who formed the Empire of Ashanti in 1701 and was crowned Asantehene (King of all Ashanti). Osei Tutu held the Ashanti throne until his death in battle in 1717, and was the sixth king in Asante royal history.
The Asantehene is the ruler of the Ashanti people ethnic group and the Kingdom of Ashanti and Ashantiland, the homeland of the Ashanti people ethnic group, historically a position of great power. The Asantehene is traditionally enthroned on a golden stool known as the Sika 'dwa, and the office is sometimes referred to by this name. The Asantehene is also the titular ruler of Kumasi, capital of Ashanti. The Asante state, or Asanteman (also known as the Kingdom of Ashanti, Ashantiland, Ashanti and Asante, Empire of Ashanti or Ashanti Confederacy), comprises the Ashanti region. The Ashanti Empire and Confederacy comprised part of present-day Ashantiland (southern Ghana) and portions of present-day eastern Côte d'Ivoire between the 17th and 20th centuries.
The current Asantehene is Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, born Nana Kwaku Dua, who ascended as the 16th Asante king in April 1999. Osei Tutu II was one of seven descendants who were eligible to the heir presumptive.
The Asantehene is also automatically the lifetime patron of the Kumasi Asante Kotoko Football Club.