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Ashanti Ritual Sword

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Collection: African Art Collection
Description: Ashanti ritual swords come in different shapes and are used for different purposes. This very old rustic sword has a ball at the tip of the handle and two rings around the middle of the sword between the handle and blade. It is believed to date back to the 19th century. The handle has rows of triangles pointing downward towards the blade. The sword appears to have been used for ritual purposes. The sword was recovered in a digging near Kumasi. Considering age, the sword is in good condition.
General Note: GEOGRAPHY / CULTURE GROUP: Ghana, Akan. The Ashanti people are part of the much larger Akan group. Akan people are a population of farmers living in current day Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo and Benin. The Akan take tremendous pride in traditional ceremonies, regalia, and cultural practices. The society is arranged in chiefdoms. Rulers are known by a variety of names including King, Chief, Nana and Asantehene. The Akan are known for their cocoa, ceramics, staffs, textiles, dolls, gold jewelry and elaborate funerals.
Artists/Makers: Akan Ghana Read Biography

Akan

GEOGRAPHY / CULTURE GROUP: Ghana, Akan. The Ashanti people are part of the much larger Akan group. Akan people are a population of farmers living in current day Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo and Benin. The Akan take tremendous pride in traditional ceremonies, regalia, and cultural practices. The society is arranged in chiefdoms. Rulers are known by a variety of names including King, Chief, Nana and Asantehene. The Akan are known for their cocoa, ceramics, staffs, textiles, dolls, gold jewelry and elaborate funerals. The highly stylized Akuaba dolls are often worn by children and are believed to promote fertility.
Student Work: No
Culture: Akan
Geography: Ghana
Medium: Metal (likely Brass)
Classification: Ritual Object
Accession Number: 2022.01.078
Accession Date: May 2022
Donated By: Reginald and Celeste Hodges
Donation Date: May 2022
Provenance Note: PROVENANCE: This sword was unearthed in a dig, along with other items, in Kumasi in 1974. The sword remained in Reginald Hodges’ possession until transfer to ECU in 2022.