Osei Tutu I
Osei Tutu founded the Asante Empire and made the Golden Stool its symbol of unity. Born around 1660 in the Akan region of what is now Ghana, he was a nephew of the ruler of Kwaman, and spent part of his youth at the court of Denkyira, the dominant power to which the Asante states paid tribute, and then at Akwamu, where he observed a more effective military organisation. He returned to become ruler of Kwaman around 1680, and set out to unite the small Akan states of the region, which were divided by clan and by rivalry. His principal collaborator was Okomfo Anokye, a priest. According to the tradition, Anokye called down a golden stool from the sky, which descended onto Osei Tutu's knees, and declared that it contained the soul of the Asante nation — that the strength, health and welfare of the whole people resided in it. No one, including the king, was ever permitted to sit on it. The device worked. It provided a focus of loyalty above the individual states, and the confederacy that formed around it survived far longer than a personal alliance would have. He reorganised the army on the Akwamu model, with a formation of centre, wings, advance guard and rear that could envelop an enemy, and adopted firearms. He defeated Denkyira decisively at Feyiase in 1701, which ended the tribute and gave Asante direct access to the coastal trade in gold, kola and slaves. He established Kumasi as the capital and the Odwira festival as an annual assembly. He was killed in a campaign against Akyem around 1717.
- Lived: 1660 CE – 1717 CE
- Nationality: Ghanaian
- Roles: statesman, military_leader
