The Making of an African King: Patrilineal and Matrilineal Struggle Among the Effutu of Ghana / Edition 2

by Anthony Ephirim-Donkor

Overview

The Making of An African King is a study examining the causes of the kingship internecine struggle among the Effutu by exploring the two traditional systems of succession, the patrilineal and the matrilineal, among the Effutu (Awutu-abe), and how best to end political violence.

Kingship or chieftaincy disputes in Ghana may begin as rivalry among members of the same family, or when ineligible elders are elected caretaker kings because of their invaluable services to a royal family. However, upon the demise of the caretakers, their descendants refuse to cede power back to the royal family; thus creating protracted power struggles.

This is exactly the situation among the Effutu. Fortunately, new information became available when the author was researching in Ghana from 1997-1999. As a result, this edition provides for the first time accounts of colonial administrators about the royal internecine struggle, in ways that confirm Awutu orthodoxy and put concocted histories, false genealogies, and outright lies to rest.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761847786
Publisher:	University Press of America
Publication date:	08/04/2009
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	238
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Anthony Ephirim-Donkor is assistant professor and undergraduate director of Africana Studies at Binghamton University, State University of New York. Dr. Ephirim-Donkor teaches African and African Diaspora religions and cultures. He is also known as Nana Dr. Obrafo Owom, the traditional ruler (Odikro) of Gomoa Mprumem, an Akan town in Ghana.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface
Chapter 2 Acknowledgements
Chapter 3 Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 4 Chapter 2: The Long Search Home
Chapter 5 Chapter 3: Building the Lion's Kingdom
Chapter 6 Chapter 4: The Princess Ayensua Factor
Chapter 7 Chapter 5: One Among Many
Chapter 8 Chapter 6: The Lion King
Chapter 9 Chapter 7: Conclusion
Chapter 10 Endnotes
Chapter 11 Glossary
Chapter 12 Selected Bibliography
Chapter 13 Index
Chapter 14 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

An interesting thesis.

International Journal of African Historical Studies

An interesting thesis.

International Journal Of African Historical Studies