Akan mythology

The Mythology Akan brings together a group of peoples (Bron, Adjoukrou Ashanti, Baoulé, Agni, Appolo, Attié, Abbey, Abidji, Adioukrou, Alladian, Abouré, Ebrié, Avikam, Tchokossi, Akuapem, Denkyira, Fanti, Wassa, etc.) settled mainly in southern Ghana. The Akans are also settled in Côte d'Ivoire, Togo and Benign (Ewe, Guin, Ané, Adja, Tchokossi/Anoufo, Tchumbuli). The Akan speak the same language, Twi, with many dialectal variants.

When Portuguese explorers arrived in 1474, these different populations were organized into small independent kingdoms. The supreme office – like that of the heads of the family – is hereditary, transmitted through the matrilineal route. It is exercised, in association, by a man and a woman. The Akan are also characterized by their system of giving the name linked to the days of birth.