170. Sika dwa ko (Golden Stool). Ashanti peoples (south central Ghana). c. 1700 C.E.
The Sika dwa ko was originated from South Central Ghana created by the Ashanti people. This extravagant stool was 18 inches high, 24 inches long and was completely composed of gold in addition to gold ornaments as well. This however was not just an stool that was treasured due to its financial worth but as well as its spiritual significance. The legend about this stool states how after Anokye’s victory he summoned from the sky a golden stool which contained a spirit. Many of the Ashanti people associated this stool with their own “life-force”. It is said to “the concept of unity was given its ultimate physical and symbolic expression in the form of the Golden Stool.” (British Museum)
In the 1800’s the British demolished everything in the Ashanti Capital as well as taking much of their valuables. One significant moment between the British and the Golden stool was when Sir Hodgson demanded to sit on this treasured stool. This stool however was not meant to be sat on by anyone, because it was seen as a sacred item to the Ashanti people. So sacred that it would never come in contact to the ground but instead lay on its side on its own a stool. They thus hid this stool from the foreigner. Though even after losing against the British they considered it their victory since they were not able to attain the sacred item.
Works Cited
History of Golden Stool, www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/history/golden_stool.php.
“I. The history, significance and usage of Asante royal regalia.” British Museum – I. The history, significance and usage of Asante royal regalia, www.britishmuseum.org/research/online_research_catalogues/ag/asante_gold_regalia/i_history-significance-usage.aspx. Accessed 29 Sept. 2017.
“Sika dwa kofi (Golden Stool), Asante people.” Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/africa-ap/v/sika-dwa-kofi-golden-stool. Accessed 29 Sept. 2017.