Oral Traditions On The Origin of the Tano-Domase Traditional State and the Kusi Boadum Royal Dynasty

Abstract

A considerable number of African traditional states were founded by migrants who had been displaced by turbulent political situations mostly characterized by wars. Some also were founded by hunters through hunting expeditions while others sprang up from voluntary settlement in vacant places. Again, a number of African traditional states emerged from a cluster of several migrant populations of diverse origins and identities. In most cases, the first settled population produced the ruling dynasty for the entire state. The latter entrants were not denied political space in the governance of the state but were absorbed into it and given specific roles to play. When wars of state expansion became a necessity both the first settlers and the late arrivals constituted the people’s militia and fought together to acquire extra territories while defending the original ones. Accordingly, territorial spaces were apportioned to the clans or tribes that constituted the whole traditional state. This work discusses the migration history and political structure of the Tano-Dumase state during the precolonial era. It also focuses on economic activities, and religion.
Pioneering the migration and stool history of Tano-Dumase, I relied primarily on oral traditions sourced from knowledgeable informants to reconstruct the history. Admittedly, oral tradition is not an absolute perfect tool of historical enquiry because it suffers from feedback which refers to an invented tradition to glorify one’s past. In sourcing the data, I encountered the problem of feedback as some of the informants were caught in the web of trying to over-glorify their past through invention of traditions. But I was able to control the feedbacks and distortions by consulting several informants and carefully cross-checking their evidences.
In spite of its weaknesses, oral evidence is still relevant in the reconstruction of African past because most African histories are in oral forms. Published works relevant to this work were also used. In this work evidence has been provided that the Tano-Dumase traditional state was made up of a cluster of different Akan matrilineal clans who did not trace their origin from a common ancestor. It has also been found out that Tano-Dumase was founded by Asona migrants from Saaman-Tamfoe led by Kusi Boadum, who inaugurated the Kusi Boadum Royal Dynasty, and ruled as the first King of the state. Effective administration and state security required checks and balances; consequently, Kusi, the founder of the state later inducted in addition two more dynasties to alternatively rule Tano-Dumase. Other clans that came later were also integrated into the political system to control regional powers.
It is my hope that this work will contribute to the existing body of knowledge about how traditional states of Africa originated. It will also equip our understanding of the relevance of oral traditions in the reconstruction of the African past.

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