The Akan reside in Ghana and along the Ivory Coast. They believe in a monotheistic creator called Odomankoma Nyame and exist as a matrilineal society. The Akan believe that the void between heaven and earth is filled by the abosom, “deities”, who are the offspring of God, but live on earth. An obosom ba, “children of a deity”, is someone whose mother asked for a deity’s intervention during a difficult childbirth and pledges that child to the deity for its purposes. These obosom ba hold a special place in society because they are seen as being related to the deities and can therefore communicate with them. Twins also hold a special place in the community because they are seen as a gift from a deity who shows favor to certain women. The children of deities and twins are the only ones considered to be called into the clerical profession. Within the clerical profession there are three different categories: priests, prophet-mediums and doctors. Although the three roles overlap, each still receives special training that lasts about a year. At graduation, the new medium is required to demonstrate their skills at a public gathering by dancing themselves into a trance or being absorbed by a deity. It is through this that the community can communicate with the spirits and in turn God. Twins also have a special role in society during the harvesting of crops. An annual festival takes place during this time to give thanks to the deity of twins, Abam Kofi. During this festival many libations are offered to the deity and all twins in the community are part of a ceremony where they enter a trance state and communicate and give thanks to the deity. Through this, they hope that the spirit will provide protection to the community.
Map of Asante's and Akan's Tribal Area
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The Asante people are part of the Akan people, the most dominant ethnic group in Ghana. The Asante religion is based on a belief in the spiritual and material world that are separate and yet constantly interacting. Most of the shamanic duties within the Asante religion are personified within the functions of the priesthood (akom). The main role of the Asante shamans (akomfo) is to be an intermediary between divinity and human beings. The spirits possess the shamans and give them the knowledge to cure diseases, find solutions to problems and interpret dreams. The Asante also believe that when a person becomes ill his soul is thought to have run away. Thus the shamans are also in charge of locating the soul and restoring it to it’s rightful place. The ascension to shamanism within the Asante is either through a vocational calling or as a hereditary right. Once selected, the candidate must undergo three years of training under the watch and guidance of a trained shaman. This initiation has three distinct phases including separation, transition and reincorporation and the initiate must adhere to many taboos and rituals. After the three years the initiate graduates in both a private and public ceremony where they are tested for proficiency. Once they’ve passed they are able to begin their career as a shaman. This means they will have the knowledge to heal sick members of the community, cure infertility, restore lost items and train others to enter into priesthood. Along with the shamans, the Asante also have herbalists and experts in protective charms. These three medical practitioners make up the traditional healing system for the Asante.*The photos on this page depict Akan tribal members during a healing ceremony (top right) and a traditional Asante shaman (bottom left)
