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Pre Colonial African Kingdoms Essay

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Pre-Colonial African Kingdoms and States have always praised the powerful men that have made change and ruled. While that statement is clearly true, it also true that not all powerful, history changing rulers were men. Along the common names of rulers like Oba Ewuare, Osei Tutu, and Oba Oduduwa; there are women who have done the same amount of incredible strides in the history of African Kingdoms. Queen Amina and Queen Nzinga are two women who have done great things for the history of Africa and prove that not just men can control an empire. Starting his rule in 1440, King Oba Ewuare was documented as the first King of the Benin Empire. The Benin Empire; now located in what is Southern Nigeria and known for being one of the oldest and highly developed states in West Africa. King Oba Ewuare, previously known as Prince Ogun; came to power after a violent overturn on his own brother; Prince Uwaifaikon. So violent that he ended up destroying much of Benin City in the processes.Oba Ewuare was the son of Ohen and after his death, an altercation arose and Prince Ogun was …show more content…

Under his rule he successfully established a constitution for the Empire which resulted in a long era of political stability and with the help of his lieutenant, established a capital at Kumasi. One thing that will forever be remembered with Osei Tutu was his establishment of the Golden Stool and its importance to the Ashanti people. The reason the Golden Stool was such an important remembrance of Osei Tutu is because it allowed him to create a sense of union and centralization for the Empire. He used the previous relations between the chiefs of the Amantoo and their large dedication to spirituality to convince them that the Golden Stool held the energy, soul, and power of the Ashanti people. With its large impact on the Ashanti people, the golden stool remains an historical symbol till this day. Carrying the legacy of Osei Kofi

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