History and origin of the Eight families, their Totems and Partriachs; limiting it to the Asante Nation

The eighth (8) Akan clans are Oyoko (Falcon), Biretuo (Leopard), Aduana (Dog), Asona (Crow), Agona (Parrot), Ekuona (Buffalo), Asakyiri (Vulture), and Asenie (Bat).

It is only in Asante Kingdom that these eight clans are well represented in all our structures with influential paramount chiefs belonging to one of these clans, with some being the Abusua Piesie (Clan Head) as well as notable states and towns.

Our ancestors came together from all these Clans to form the largest union of States “Amankuo” within the Akan Ethnic group and the largest nation within Ghana. They created a new name and new identity for themselves, ASANTE (ƐSA-NTI) meaning “Because of War”. To signify that they were born out of war and, therefore, ready for war.

After that, our first king, Opemsuo Osei Tutu created a new Emblem or Totem for the new Asante nation in 1701 to cement our independence. The King chose “KƆTƆKƆ” the PORCUPINE as our new Emblem, which has been the Asante national totem since the early-eighteenth century AD.

The Porcupine; remarkably threatening-looking, displays an inbuilt arsenal of sharp spikes for use when attacked by an enemy. The porcupine fights from all angles to protect itself. And this is the philosophy of we Asantes, our readiness to wage war on our enemies and never relent on our efforts till the enemy is vanquished earned us the accolade “Asante Kotoko, Kum apem a, apem beba” (Kill a thousand, a thousand will rise) in reference to the Porcupine’s quills as symbols of Asante warriors.

It is also believed that the accolade “Kɔtɔkɔ, wo kum apem a apem bɛba” refers to “Nkrane” (Soldier Ants) 🐜. According to the legion movement of these soldier ants, they were described in a saying that goes like “Nkrane krakatenpobi kɔtɔkɔ, wo kum apem a apem bɛba”. Or “Krakatenpobi a yɛreko no mpo na ɔresɔ mmɛbɛ”. All these titles were given in the olden days to a group of people who fought like Soldier ants (Nkrane).

As a people, we’ve come together to fight from all angles, and this earned us the accolade; of ‘ASANTE KOTOKO’ which is ‘The PORCUPINE WARRIORS’.

So you see, as Akans we come from different clans and each clan has a totem that represents the philosophy of the family. And away from our various clans, we have the Kotoko (Porcupine) as our National Emblem or Totem that also represent our philosophy as Asantes.

We are born warriors because we were born out of war. Like the porcupine, our national emblem, we fight from all angles to protect ourselves. And we will fight till our last breath.

AMN | Spotlite | History.