Global site navigation

History of how Fantes settled in Ghana after being led by man-like animals told
People

History of how Fantes settled in Ghana after being led by man-like animals told

by  Ebenezer Agbey Quist 2 min read

- It is believed that Fantes, who live between the western border of Ghana’s capital city Accra and Cape Three Points, were led to their present place by mysterious animals

- History has it that the said beings were in the form of humans known as Oburumankoma (whale), Odapagyan (eagle), and Oson (elephant)

- There have been some historical theories against the belief

Our Manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

Oral historians in the courthouses of Fante chieftains hold the view that their forefathers were led to their present settlement by mysterious animals disguised as men.

A news report sighted by YEN.com.gh on Face2FaceAfrica indicates that the first Fantes, as the history has it, tore away from the Bono people, another Akan group in Ghana’s hinterlands, in the 1200s.

It is indicated that it was from that separation that the name 'Fante' itself emerged as the term means, “half/part torn”.

READ ALSO: "What do you want from the world?" - Religious man in Accra spotted screaming after earth tremor

History of how Fantes settled in Ghana after being led by man-like animals told
Source: UGC
Source: UGC

Descending southwards, the Fante were split into three groups and led by three mysterious warrior-priests, namely Oburumankoma (whale), Odapagyan (eagle), and Oson (elephant).

The last of the warrior-priests above conquered the autochthonous Etsii people and founded Mankessim which translates as “in the big town”, and now serves as the traditional headquarter-town of the Fante.

The Fante believe these three men were literally beings with magical powers but there are those who hold the view that they were only personified conceptions of beliefs.

READ ALSO: Michael Jackson passed away 11 years ago: Fans remember King of Pop

F.L. Bartels, the writer of The Roots of Ghana Methodism, for instance, argues that Oburumankoma, Odapagyan and Oson are actually metaphors of Fante self-perception.

Enjoy reading our stories? Download YEN's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Ghana news!

"Ghanaian women don't wear underwear lately" - Market woman speaks out

Subscribe to watch new videos

Get interactive via our Facebook page.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Ebenezer Agbey Quist avatar

Ebenezer Agbey Quist (HOD Human-Interest) Ebenezer Agbey Quist is the Head of the Human Interest Desk at YEN.com.gh. He has a BSc in Chemical Engineering from KNUST (2017) with 8 years of experience as a writer and 3 years as an editor. He has certificates in AFP courses on digital investigation techniques. At YEN.com.gh, Ebenezer has won the Outstanding Achievement for Professional Conduct Award and the Best Human Interest Editor Award. He is also the author of 3 books. You can contact him via ebenezer.quist@yen.com.gh.

Hot: