THE FESTIVAL
Under the able and inspirational leadership of Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II, Omanhene of Bechem Traditional Area and President of the Bechem Traditional Council, Nananom introduced the ADEKYEM FESTIVAL to be celebrated by the Chiefs and people of Bechem Traditional Area, made up of the following towns and their villages: Bechem, Dwomo, Terchire and Tanoso. These towns together are known as “ATANOFO AKROTUONNAN”
BRIEF HISTORY OF BECHEM TRADITIONAL AREA
INTRODUCTION:
The Bechem Traditional area is made up of the following towns and their villages: Bechem, Dwomo, Terchire and Tanoso. These towns together are known as “ATANOFO AKROTUONNAN”.
The Atanofo is a fetish unification of Tano Bekoe for Bechem; Dwomo Kukuo for Dwomo; Boobae for Terchire and Asubonten Tano for Tanoso. All these fetishes were created by Okomfo Anokye to protect the Golden Stool of Asante in times of war, especially against attacks from the north. Bechemhene is the head and custodian of these fetishes.
ORIGIN OF THE BECHEM STOOL:
The Bechem Stool which is known as the ASIWOBOUR Stool belongs to the Adako Oyoko clan.
The royal clan of Bechem migrated from Asante Nsuta as a result of a chieftancy dispute which killed some of the members of the family.
The faction led by Obofuo Afoakwa and his brother Fosu Ahwenie left Asante Nsuta and settled at a place near some palm trees and called the new settlement: “ABEKYEASE”. They were followed by brothers Asimpa and Kwasi Kakyire as well as their sisters Otuakram Agyaako, Amma Adutwiwaa and Appia Mansa.
Fosu Ahwenie’s brother, Bofuo Afoakwa who was a hunter moved and settled near River Tano and named the place “Tanoso”
Bofuo Afoakwa, who was also an oracle consultant, became the chief of Abekyease and Tanoso. He had to shuttle between Tanoso and Abekyease every Akwasidae to perform customary rites. Nana Bofoakwa, as he came to be called, took part in the Dormaa war.
ORIGIN OF BECHEM:
After the war over Dormaa, Nana Osei Tutu I and his victorious war leaders sat to share their booty or spoils at Abekyease. The chiefs are told to have said, “We shall divide our booty here”
(yebekye mu wo ha) hence, the name Bechem. After the Gyaman war with Abo Kofi too, the war booty was shared at Bechem. That is how Abekyease became known as Bechem and has been called to this day!
ORIGIN OF THE ASIWOBOUR STOOL:
Nana Osei Tutu I and Okomfo Anokye visited Tanoso and invoked a deity from the River Tano. The deity was named ‘Tano Bekoe’ and became one of the deities which helped to bring victory in the Asante wars.
Okomfo Anokye commanded that, human beings should be sacrificed for the deity every year. However, during the reign of the third chief of Bechem, Asiwobour Asimpa Apraku, he gathered courage and travelled to Kumase to request Nana Osei Tutu I to replace the human sacrifice with the sacrifice of rams.
This was a bold step taken by Nana Asimpa Apraku to ensure steady population growth for development. Nana Osei Tutu I granted the request and gave him the title ‘ASIWBOUR’ in appreciation for his courage and bravery. This is how the Bechem stool came to be known as the ‘ASIWBOUR’ STOOL.
SUCCESSION AND ACHIEVEMENT OF CHIEFS:
Nana Bofuo Afoakwa (Bofoakwa) was the first chief and took part in the Dormaa war after which the booty was shared at Abekyease which came to be called Bechem. He was succeeded by his brother Nana Fosu Ahwenie who took part in the Denkyira war of liberation.
Nana Fosu Ahwenie was succeeded by his brother Asiwobour Asimpa Apraku whose courage and bravery won the accolade Asiwobour for the Bekyem stool.
Nana Asiwobour Asimpa Apraku was succeeded by Nana Akoma Mpete during the reign of Nana Opoku Ware I. Nana Akoma Mpete took part in all the wars fought by Nana Opoku Ware I which included the Akyem war, Takyiman war and the Gyaman war with Abo Kofi.
Nana Akoma Mpete was succeeded by Nana Kwasi Kaakyire during the reign of Asantehene Nana Obodom. Nana Kwasi Kaakyire was succeeded by Nana Fosu Gyeabour I during the reign of Asantehene Nana Osei Kwadwo. Nana Fosu Gyeabour took part in all wars fought by the Asantes during the reign of Nana Osei Kwame Asibe Kwadwo which included the Wassa, Banda and Dagomba wars. His bravery earned him the title ‘Gyeabour’, that is, one who received bullets. Nana Fosu Gyeabour was also on the Bechem stool during the reign of Asantehene Nana Osei Kwame Panin.
Nana Fosu Gyeabour I was succeeded by Nana Kwabena Asuatemo during the reign of Nana Osei Kwame Panin. He was still the chief of Bechem when Nana Opoku Fofie was enstooled as Asantehene.
Nana Kwabena Asuatemo was succeeded by Nana Yaw Boampon I during the reign of Nana Osei Kwame Asibe Bonsu. Nana Yaw Boampon I took part in the Fante War of 1806, The Coastal Campaign of 1811 and the Coastal Campaign of 1814.
Nana Yaw Boampon I was succeeded by Nana Kwaku Yeboa who led Bechem troops during the Adinkra war of 1817 and commanded the Bechem troops in the Nsamankor war. He was also the chief of Bechem during the reign of Nana Osei Yaw Akoto and fought in the Dodowa war of 1827. Nana Kwaku Yeboa was still on the stool of Bechem when Nana Kwaku Dua I was enstooled as Asantehene.
Nana Kwaku Yeboa was succeeded by Nana Kofi Mensa I during the reign of Nana Kwaku Dua I. He ruled for about 16 years and passed away.
Nana Kofi Mensa I was succeeded by Nana Yaw Amponsa who took part in the Kwasi Gyenin’s war of 1863. Nana Yaw Amponsa was the chief of Bechem when Nana Kofi Karikari became the Asantehene in 1867 and took part in the Krepi war of 1869, the coastal campaign of 1873 and the Sagrente war of 1874.
Nana Yaw Amponsa was succeeded by Nana Akwasi Boampon during the reign of the Asantehene Nana Mensa Bonsu. Nana Akwasi Boampon and his people fought on the side of Kumase during the civil war between Dwaben and Kumase. Bechem under the leadership of Nana Akwasi Boampon, did not rebel against Nana Mensa Bonsu, the Asantehene.
Nana Kwaku Fosu fought on the side of Nana Yaa Asantewaa in the war of 1900. He was among the chiefs who decided to fight the governor. After the war he was deported to the Seychelles Island.
Nana Kwaku Fosu was succeeded by Nana Kwame Amponsa who ruled Bechem from 1900 to 1905 when he was destooled.
Nana Kwame Amponsa was succeeded by Nana Yaw Boampon II who ruled from 1905 to 1917 when he passed away.
Nana Yaw Boampon II was succeeded by Nana Kwadwo who ruled Bechem from 1917 to 1924 and was destooled.
Nana Kwadwo Badu was succeeded by Nana Kofi Twene Mensa who was among the chiefs who welcomed Nana Prempe I when he returned from Seychelles Island on 12 November, 1924.
Nana Twene Mensah was destooled in 1931 and was succeeded by Nana Kwabena Behome who ruled Bechem from 1931 to 1933. It was during his reign that Nana Prempe II was enstooled as Asantehene.
Nana Kwabena Behome died on the stool in 1933 and was succeeded by Nana Fosu Gyeabour II in 1934. It was during the reign of Nana Fosu Gyeabour II that the Asante Confederacy was restored. He was among the paramount chiefs of Asante who swore the oath of allegiance to Nana Prempeh II on 1st February, 1935. He ruled Bechem from 1934 to 1967 when he abdicated because of political pressure.
Nana Fosu Gyeabour II was succeeded by Nana Asiwbour Gyamfi in 1967 and ruled from 1967 to 1997 when he passed away.
Nana Asiwbour Gyamfi was succeeded by Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II, the current chief, in the year 2000. A well-known saying of Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II who is the current Chairman of the Education Committee of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs is that “in the ancient times, chiefs developed their areas through wars, but in these modern times, development is possible only through quality and holistic education”. Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II in council with Nananom introduced the ADEKYEM FESTIVAL.
The current Queen mother of Bechem is called Nana Adwoapo Dwamena Serwaa II.
OCCUPANTS OF THE BECHEM (ASIWBOUR) STOOL AND THEIR QUEEN MOTHERS
NAME, PERIOD ANDA NAME OF QUEEN MOTHER
1 Nana Bofoakwa Not available
2 Nana Fosu Ahwenie 1689-1706
Nana Adwoa Po Dwamena I
3 Nana Asiwbour Asimpa Apraku 1706-1719
4 Nana Akoma Mpetee (Mpetia) 1719-1743 Nana Akosua Gyamera
5 Nana Kwasi Kaakyire 1743-1765 Nana Akosua Agyaa
6 Nana Fosu Gyeabour I 1765-1792 Nana Yaa Fosuaa
7 Nana Kwabena Asuantemo 1792-1800
Nana Akosua Dwera
8 NanaYaw Boampon I 1800-1815
9 Nana Kwaku Yeboa 1815-1839
10 Nana Kofi Mensah 1839-1855
Nana Afia Akyiaa Niana
11 NanaYaw Amponsa 1855-1874
12 Nana Akwasi Boampon 1874-1889
Nana Amuaa Niana
13 Nana Yaw Mosie 1889-1895
14 Nana Kwaku Fosu 1895-1900
15 Nana Kwame Amponsa 1900-1905
Nana Akosua Konadu
16 Nana Yaw Boampon II 1905-1917
17 Nana Kwadwo Badu 1917-1924
Nana Yaa Donkor Bagyina
18 Nana Kofi Mensa (Twene Mensa) 1924-1931
19 Nana Kwabena Behome 1931-1933
20 Nana Fosu Gyeabour II 1934-1967
21 Nana Asiwbour Gyamfi 1967-1997 Nana Afia Akyiaa II
22 Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II 2000 - Nana Adwoa Po Dwamena Serwaa II
BECHEM STATE OATH
The oath of Bechem state is “MEKA MPETE NE BREME”. It reminds the chiefs and people of the tragedy that befell their beloved chief when he contracted the disease known as mpete and was sent to Breme (the village he founded for his wife Nana Akyiaa Tafo) where he died.
Under the able and inspirational leadership of Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II, Omanhene of Bechem Traditional Area and President of the Bechem Traditional Council, Nananom introduced the ADEKYEM FESTIVAL to be celebrated by the Chiefs and people of Bechem Traditional Area, made up of the following towns and their villages: Bechem, Dwomo, Terchire and Tanoso. These towns together are known as “ATANOFO AKROTUONNAN”
BRIEF HISTORY OF BECHEM TRADITIONAL AREA
INTRODUCTION:
The Bechem Traditional area is made up of the following towns and their villages: Bechem, Dwomo, Terchire and Tanoso. These towns together are known as “ATANOFO AKROTUONNAN”.
The Atanofo is a fetish unification of Tano Bekoe for Bechem; Dwomo Kukuo for Dwomo; Boobae for Terchire and Asubonten Tano for Tanoso. All these fetishes were created by Okomfo Anokye to protect the Golden Stool of Asante in times of war, especially against attacks from the north. Bechemhene is the head and custodian of these fetishes.
ORIGIN OF THE BECHEM STOOL:
The Bechem Stool which is known as the ASIWOBOUR Stool belongs to the Adako Oyoko clan.
The royal clan of Bechem migrated from Asante Nsuta as a result of a chieftancy dispute which killed some of the members of the family.
The faction led by Obofuo Afoakwa and his brother Fosu Ahwenie left Asante Nsuta and settled at a place near some palm trees and called the new settlement: “ABEKYEASE”. They were followed by brothers Asimpa and Kwasi Kakyire as well as their sisters Otuakram Agyaako, Amma Adutwiwaa and Appia Mansa.
Fosu Ahwenie’s brother, Bofuo Afoakwa who was a hunter moved and settled near River Tano and named the place “Tanoso”
Bofuo Afoakwa, who was also an oracle consultant, became the chief of Abekyease and Tanoso. He had to shuttle between Tanoso and Abekyease every Akwasidae to perform customary rites. Nana Bofoakwa, as he came to be called, took part in the Dormaa war.
ORIGIN OF BECHEM:
After the war over Dormaa, Nana Osei Tutu I and his victorious war leaders sat to share their booty or spoils at Abekyease. The chiefs are told to have said, “We shall divide our booty here”
(yebekye mu wo ha) hence, the name Bechem. After the Gyaman war with Abo Kofi too, the war booty was shared at Bechem. That is how Abekyease became known as Bechem and has been called to this day!
ORIGIN OF THE ASIWOBOUR STOOL:
Nana Osei Tutu I and Okomfo Anokye visited Tanoso and invoked a deity from the River Tano. The deity was named ‘Tano Bekoe’ and became one of the deities which helped to bring victory in the Asante wars.
Okomfo Anokye commanded that, human beings should be sacrificed for the deity every year. However, during the reign of the third chief of Bechem, Asiwobour Asimpa Apraku, he gathered courage and travelled to Kumase to request Nana Osei Tutu I to replace the human sacrifice with the sacrifice of rams.
This was a bold step taken by Nana Asimpa Apraku to ensure steady population growth for development. Nana Osei Tutu I granted the request and gave him the title ‘ASIWBOUR’ in appreciation for his courage and bravery. This is how the Bechem stool came to be known as the ‘ASIWBOUR’ STOOL.
SUCCESSION AND ACHIEVEMENT OF CHIEFS:
Nana Bofuo Afoakwa (Bofoakwa) was the first chief and took part in the Dormaa war after which the booty was shared at Abekyease which came to be called Bechem. He was succeeded by his brother Nana Fosu Ahwenie who took part in the Denkyira war of liberation.
Nana Fosu Ahwenie was succeeded by his brother Asiwobour Asimpa Apraku whose courage and bravery won the accolade Asiwobour for the Bekyem stool.
Nana Asiwobour Asimpa Apraku was succeeded by Nana Akoma Mpete during the reign of Nana Opoku Ware I. Nana Akoma Mpete took part in all the wars fought by Nana Opoku Ware I which included the Akyem war, Takyiman war and the Gyaman war with Abo Kofi.
Nana Akoma Mpete was succeeded by Nana Kwasi Kaakyire during the reign of Asantehene Nana Obodom. Nana Kwasi Kaakyire was succeeded by Nana Fosu Gyeabour I during the reign of Asantehene Nana Osei Kwadwo. Nana Fosu Gyeabour took part in all wars fought by the Asantes during the reign of Nana Osei Kwame Asibe Kwadwo which included the Wassa, Banda and Dagomba wars. His bravery earned him the title ‘Gyeabour’, that is, one who received bullets. Nana Fosu Gyeabour was also on the Bechem stool during the reign of Asantehene Nana Osei Kwame Panin.
Nana Fosu Gyeabour I was succeeded by Nana Kwabena Asuatemo during the reign of Nana Osei Kwame Panin. He was still the chief of Bechem when Nana Opoku Fofie was enstooled as Asantehene.
Nana Kwabena Asuatemo was succeeded by Nana Yaw Boampon I during the reign of Nana Osei Kwame Asibe Bonsu. Nana Yaw Boampon I took part in the Fante War of 1806, The Coastal Campaign of 1811 and the Coastal Campaign of 1814.
Nana Yaw Boampon I was succeeded by Nana Kwaku Yeboa who led Bechem troops during the Adinkra war of 1817 and commanded the Bechem troops in the Nsamankor war. He was also the chief of Bechem during the reign of Nana Osei Yaw Akoto and fought in the Dodowa war of 1827. Nana Kwaku Yeboa was still on the stool of Bechem when Nana Kwaku Dua I was enstooled as Asantehene.
Nana Kwaku Yeboa was succeeded by Nana Kofi Mensa I during the reign of Nana Kwaku Dua I. He ruled for about 16 years and passed away.
Nana Kofi Mensa I was succeeded by Nana Yaw Amponsa who took part in the Kwasi Gyenin’s war of 1863. Nana Yaw Amponsa was the chief of Bechem when Nana Kofi Karikari became the Asantehene in 1867 and took part in the Krepi war of 1869, the coastal campaign of 1873 and the Sagrente war of 1874.
Nana Yaw Amponsa was succeeded by Nana Akwasi Boampon during the reign of the Asantehene Nana Mensa Bonsu. Nana Akwasi Boampon and his people fought on the side of Kumase during the civil war between Dwaben and Kumase. Bechem under the leadership of Nana Akwasi Boampon, did not rebel against Nana Mensa Bonsu, the Asantehene.
Nana Kwaku Fosu fought on the side of Nana Yaa Asantewaa in the war of 1900. He was among the chiefs who decided to fight the governor. After the war he was deported to the Seychelles Island.
Nana Kwaku Fosu was succeeded by Nana Kwame Amponsa who ruled Bechem from 1900 to 1905 when he was destooled.
Nana Kwame Amponsa was succeeded by Nana Yaw Boampon II who ruled from 1905 to 1917 when he passed away.
Nana Yaw Boampon II was succeeded by Nana Kwadwo who ruled Bechem from 1917 to 1924 and was destooled.
Nana Kwadwo Badu was succeeded by Nana Kofi Twene Mensa who was among the chiefs who welcomed Nana Prempe I when he returned from Seychelles Island on 12 November, 1924.
Nana Twene Mensah was destooled in 1931 and was succeeded by Nana Kwabena Behome who ruled Bechem from 1931 to 1933. It was during his reign that Nana Prempe II was enstooled as Asantehene.
Nana Kwabena Behome died on the stool in 1933 and was succeeded by Nana Fosu Gyeabour II in 1934. It was during the reign of Nana Fosu Gyeabour II that the Asante Confederacy was restored. He was among the paramount chiefs of Asante who swore the oath of allegiance to Nana Prempeh II on 1st February, 1935. He ruled Bechem from 1934 to 1967 when he abdicated because of political pressure.
Nana Fosu Gyeabour II was succeeded by Nana Asiwbour Gyamfi in 1967 and ruled from 1967 to 1997 when he passed away.
Nana Asiwbour Gyamfi was succeeded by Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II, the current chief, in the year 2000. A well-known saying of Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II who is the current Chairman of the Education Committee of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs is that “in the ancient times, chiefs developed their areas through wars, but in these modern times, development is possible only through quality and holistic education”. Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II in council with Nananom introduced the ADEKYEM FESTIVAL.
The current Queen mother of Bechem is called Nana Adwoapo Dwamena Serwaa II.
OCCUPANTS OF THE BECHEM (ASIWBOUR) STOOL AND THEIR QUEEN MOTHERS
NAME, PERIOD ANDA NAME OF QUEEN MOTHER
1 Nana Bofoakwa Not available
2 Nana Fosu Ahwenie 1689-1706
Nana Adwoa Po Dwamena I
3 Nana Asiwbour Asimpa Apraku 1706-1719
4 Nana Akoma Mpetee (Mpetia) 1719-1743 Nana Akosua Gyamera
5 Nana Kwasi Kaakyire 1743-1765 Nana Akosua Agyaa
6 Nana Fosu Gyeabour I 1765-1792 Nana Yaa Fosuaa
7 Nana Kwabena Asuantemo 1792-1800
Nana Akosua Dwera
8 NanaYaw Boampon I 1800-1815
9 Nana Kwaku Yeboa 1815-1839
10 Nana Kofi Mensah 1839-1855
Nana Afia Akyiaa Niana
11 NanaYaw Amponsa 1855-1874
12 Nana Akwasi Boampon 1874-1889
Nana Amuaa Niana
13 Nana Yaw Mosie 1889-1895
14 Nana Kwaku Fosu 1895-1900
15 Nana Kwame Amponsa 1900-1905
Nana Akosua Konadu
16 Nana Yaw Boampon II 1905-1917
17 Nana Kwadwo Badu 1917-1924
Nana Yaa Donkor Bagyina
18 Nana Kofi Mensa (Twene Mensa) 1924-1931
19 Nana Kwabena Behome 1931-1933
20 Nana Fosu Gyeabour II 1934-1967
21 Nana Asiwbour Gyamfi 1967-1997 Nana Afia Akyiaa II
22 Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II 2000 - Nana Adwoa Po Dwamena Serwaa II
BECHEM STATE OATH
The oath of Bechem state is “MEKA MPETE NE BREME”. It reminds the chiefs and people of the tragedy that befell their beloved chief when he contracted the disease known as mpete and was sent to Breme (the village he founded for his wife Nana Akyiaa Tafo) where he died.
