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History of Africa: The Golden Stool

Episode 5 of 11

In this episode Zeinab Badawi travels to Ghana and Cote D'Ivoire to find out about the Asante people and their kingdom. We examine their history, myths and legends.

This is the second series of the History of Africa with Zeinab Badawi. A series based on a unique project, overseen by UNESCO known as the GHA: the General History of Africa - Africa's history, culture and heritage told by Africans themselves. Zeinab visits many countries in west, east, central and southern Africa, capturing key chapters in Africa's history, from the 8th to the 20th century. In this episode Zeinab travels to Ghana and Cote D'Ivoire to find out about the Asante people and their kingdom. We examine the history, myths and legends of the Asante people. We attend the Akwasidae - a colourful festival where the King of the kings of the Asante - known as the Asantehene - has his gold regalia on full display as a way of projecting wealth and prestige. And we hear about the great Asante queen who led the resistance against the invading British and hid the Asante's most valued and sacred possession: the golden stool. The Asante serve as an example of how despite decades of colonial rule Africans maintained their traditions and continue to revel in and perpetuate their heritage and customs.

45 minutes

Last on

Sun 22 Dec 2019 20:10GMT

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