Nana Yaa Asantewaa

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Here's a little history lesson-

The Ashanti (Asante) people are a major people group in Ghana, and before Europe's colonization of the African continent they were one of the most powerful empires in West Africa. 

Asantehene (King) Prempeh I was captured and exiled to the Seychelles islands by the British in 1896. Then in the year 1900, Frederick Hodgson (British governor) threatened to continue Prempeh I's exile unless the Ashanti people gave up the Golden Stool. The Golden Stool, or Sika 'dwa, is considered sacred to the Ashanti people and is central to their culture and traditions. It represents Ashanti power and independence. Hodgson demanded to sit on the Golden Stool to show British power over the Ashanti. 

Thus Nana Yaa Asantewaa, Queen Mother and Gatekeeper of the Golden Stool, led a rebellion against the British. She was captured by the British and exiled along with Prempeh I. Though she remained in exile until her death, her courage inspired a movement for Ashanti independence. Today she continues to be revered by the Ashanti people. 

Statue at the roundabout commemorating Nana Yaa Asantewaa. 

Yaa Asantewaa's house!

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