The history of Kumasi dates back to the late 17th century, when it emerged as the capital of the Ashanti Empire. Today, Kumasi is the capital of the Ashanti Region and the second largest city in Ghana.
Map of Ghana with Ashanti Region highlighted
Origins and Founding
Although various oral sources differ on the origin of Kumasi, the majority agree that it emerged as the capital of Ashanti under Osei Kofi Tutu I in the late 17th century. Kumasi was founded around 1680 or in the 1680s by Asantehene Osei Kofi Tutu I as the capital of the Ashanti Empire.
Various accounts exist on the formation of the city. One states that Osei Tutu negotiated for the land under a Kum Tree, hence, from which the name Kumasi derived from. Other oral sources state it was Nana Oti Akenten who negotiated with the chief of Tafo for a plot of land under a Kum tree. Other traditions indicate that Oti built Kwaman and it was his son Nana Obiri Yeboa who created Kumasi instead.
The city known today as Kumasi was originally called “Kumase,” reflecting its meaning “under the Kum tree” in Twi. Over time, the name evolved to “Kumasi.” This change likely occurred gradually due to colonial influences and language standardization during British rule.
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According to oral traditions, King Osei Tutu and the Ashanti elders planted three Kum trees to signify the founding of Kumasi and its significance in Ashanti governance, culture, and economy. Oral traditions go further to say that ‘only one tree flourished,’ marking the site of Kumasi, however, it is important to note that Kum trees were planted at other significant locations. It is believed that the tree at Bantama Mausoleum was the last one standing. Historically, the Kum tree was where leaders gathered to make important decisions about governance and alliances.
Okomfo Anokye confirmed the location of Kumasi as the Ashanti capital. One of Okomfo Anokye’s most famous acts was planting a sacred sword in Kumasi, symbolizing Ashanti unity and strength.
Early History and Development
The city rose to prominence in 1695, when it became the capital of the Ashanti Empire due to the activities of its ruler, Osei Tutu. The ruler of Kumasi, known as the Asantehene, also served as the ruler of the empire.
Located on north-south trade routes, Kumasi became a major commercial center.
In the early 18th century, Kumasi was invaded and sacked by the Aowin, but the invasion was curbed by Asantehene Opoku Ware I. In 1718-19, Aowin King Ebirimoro invaded Kumasi and sacked the capital. Asantehene Opoku Ware I and his army were away from the capital in battlefield when news reached of the destruction of Kumasi. The Dutch in Axim recorded that the Aowin plundered the city's gold and captured 20,000 of its populace.
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Islam came into Ghana through the ancient caravan trade routes across the Sahara that connected Asante with Muslim North Africa and the Near East long before Europeans landed on the Atlantic coast. Asante imperial power during the 18th and 19th century grew through participating in these international networks, but also by strictly limiting access of Muslims and other Northerners to the central provinces and the capital, Kumasi.
19th Century Descriptions
19th century written accounts by European visitors described the neatness and sophistication of the city.
In 1816, Huydecooper described Kumasi as having clean and straight streets with "houses excellently built, the latter being fairly tall but for the most part only one story." A year later, Thomas Edward Bowdich documented that the central city, with the exclusion of suburbs such as Bantama and Asafo - was oblong shaped and had a perimeter of approximately 4 miles. Bowdich also notes that Kumasi's streets were named and a "superior captain" was placed in charge of each street.
At the time of Bowdich's visit in 1817, Kumasi had 27 streets and by the mid-1880s, another source identified 50 streets. The city had 77 wards and specific wards were inhabited by a particular class of artisans or workers. For instance, goldsmiths, umbrella makers, coffin makers, executioners and city patrollers resided in specific sections of the city.
The palace complex was located in the eastern quarter of the central city. Bowdich refers to a piazza 200 yards long that "lines the interior of the wall secluding the palace." For sanitation, Bowdich recorded the presence of public toilets on the outskirt of town and the existence of toilets in each house as well. They were "not unfrequently upstairs" and boiling water was poured in daily to prevent "the least offence".
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In 1820, William Hutton was disappointed with the ruinous condition of Kumasi. Mid-19th century accounts of the city recognized its neatness and architectural style. The streets are large and more clean than I have seen in any native town since my arrival in Africa. The breadth of some of them is at least thirty yards and the average length from three hundred to six hundred yards.
Governor William Winniett's description of Kumasi in 1848 closely matched that of Freeman. Both sources also described the presence of loggias called the Dampan. Before 1883, there were 150 Dampans in Kumasi. Dwaberem (The Great Market) and Apremoso (The place of Cannons) were the most significant assembly locations in the city.
The Great Market on the other hand, served additional functions beyond that of a marketplace. It was also used as a parade ground for military reviews, a royal courthouse or as a platform for the reception of prominent visitors.
European sources in the late 19th century mentioned the city's neatness such as the account of F. In 1888, R. walked round and examined the town. It was not merely that so little existed, but that so much had been destroyed. As it stands, or then stood, the town was nothing more than a large clearing in the forest, over which were scattered, somewhat irregularly, groups of houses. These houses once stood in wide and regular streets, but since the destruction of the city in 1874 the natives do not seem to have had heart to rebuild them. Yet there remained some few vestiges to show what Kumasi had been in its palmy days... A few broad, well-kept streets still existed, lined by houses, [of] ... admirable construction, careful and artistic finish and excellent repair...- R. Austin Freeman.
Freeman notes that besides the British invasion of 1874, a civil war lasting 5 years took place in Asante and concluded by 1888. This led to a further decline of Kumasi.
Kumasi street scene in 1936
Anglo-Ashanti Wars and British Colonization
The city was ransacked by the British Empire in 1874 during the Anglo-Ashanti Wars. After defeating the Asante empire in 1874, the British opened new trade routes in the region, thereby greatly reducing Kumasi’s influence as a clearinghouse.
Between 1895 and 1896, the British Empire invaded Kumasi again. The Secretary of State for the Colonies justified the expedition by announcing that it was to "appoint a resident in Kumasi who would see to it that the King carried out his engagements." Kumasi and its nearby villages were destroyed as the British rebuilt the city on the same location.
A war broke out in 1900 following Governor Frederick Mitchell Hodgson's speech in Kumasi about his demand of the Golden Stool. Hogson was held under siege in Kumasi by the Ashanti until he broke out of the city on 23 June 1900.
Ashanti became a formal colony of the British Empire in 1901. In 1926, following the return of the Ashanti King Prempeh I after 30-year in exile in Seychelles Island, Kumasi was vested with ceremonial control over the Ashanti sub-states. The full role of king was restored by the colonial administration in 1935.
Modernization and Development
Modernization of Kumasi began in 1896. The city was modernised within this period with the construction of railways, universities, industries and hospitals.
In 1905, the wetlands close to central part of the town were drained for the construction of railways and its station to connect Accra and Cape Coast. In 1925, the colonial government established the Kumasi Public Health Board as the modern local government. The Kumasi Light and Power Supply was founded within this period. Pipe-borne water was developed in the 1920s. The Kumasi Combined General Hospital and the Kumasi Mental Hospital were also constructed.
Under the colonial government, the Kumasi economy became cash-based with the establishment of industries to tap into rubber and cocoa. In 1907, 11 European firms were established in the city. In the 1920s, the Wesley College of Education was built while the Central Market was completed in 1925. The University of Science and Technology was established in 1952.
The colonial government removed strict barriers that deterred emigration to Kumasi. Houses made of swish, brick or cement with iron and shingle roof spread within this period. By 1905, 60 of such houses were built within the city.
Around World War II, there was an influx of migrants into the city. Kumasi struggled with migration especially during the Second World War. The government introduced Social Welfare services in response. A Probation service, Juvenile Court, Remand Home and Community Centre were established in the 1940s. The colonial government introduced new residential systems, parks and green belts.
In 1910, Chief Commissioner of Asante, J. F. C. Fuller provided rules to regulate construction in Kumasi which stated that the permits for construction could be obtained through the Chief commissioner. These regulations were limited to European residential areas as African residential areas lacked proper supervision.
There was an influx of immigrants as a result; these included people from the Northern Territories, Syrians, Lebanese and Indians.
Schmidt argues that the British colonial government segregated Kumasi's residential districts on racial lines. Green belts were developed but these emerged as Nature Reserves when Ghana gained independence. Kumasi is one of the few African cities to adopt the Howard's Garden City Model.
Post-Independence Era
After Ghana gained independence as a sovereign state, Kumasi has served as the capital of the Ashanti Region. In 1988, Kumasi was denoted as Metropolitan under the PNDCL 208. The Local Government Act, 1993, Act 462, allowed for the election of representatives from the local assembly who participate in the planning process. This Act was replaced by the Local Government Act, 2016, Act 925.
In the 1950-60s, an Akan hybrid courtyard building style fostered within this period. It was a blend of traditional and European architecture. This style was more suitable for extended families.
Since independence, colonial public spaces have declined.
On 30 May 2020, Kumasi, along with Accra, was placed under lockdown as part of the government's responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana.
Today, Kumasi remains the seat of the Asantehene. As the cultural capital of Ghana, Kumasi draws visitors from around the world. Tourism initiatives often promote its historical and cultural significance, showcasing sites like the Manhyia Palace and festivals like Akwasidae. Whether it’s exploring traditional crafts or hearing stories passed down through generations, Kumasi connects visitors to a living history that is both inspiring and meaningful.
Demographics
Population of Kumasi during the time of the Ashanti Empire varied. The city was in ruins since the 1880s and by 1901 its population had declined to 3000.
Kumasi is the 2nd largest city in Ghana with a population of 443,981 as of the 2021 census. The population of the metropolitan area is 3,490,030 people.
One out of every five people in Kumasi are Christian, followed by Islam and traditional African religions. The largest ethnic group in the city is the Asante, followed by the Mole-Dagbon and Ewe people.
Economy and Culture
Kumasi is a commercial, economic, and trading hub in Ghana, home to the biggest market in West Africa: the Kejetia Market. Half of the country's timber processing takes place in the city.
The Ashanti Region accounted for 21% of total national output of Ghana in 2014, of which 48% was situated in the city of Kumasi alone. This makes the city an economic centre in the country. The economy is based on agriculture, textiles, manufacturing and the mining of timber, gold and diamonds, and cocoa. Much of the city's wealth is derived from being the middle point of many of Ghana's main roads, along with cacao farming in the hinterland.
The culture of Kumasi is rich in music and dancing. The drum is the primary instrument played in Kumasi and they have many different varieties. Colorful and intricate costumes add to the performance of the dancers and drummers.
Places with cultural background(s) in the city include Fort Kumasi (built by in 1896 to replace an Asante fort and now a museum) and the Nurom Hat Museum. Kumasi is also known for its traditional textile, kente, usually always made using traditional practices. It is home to the largest market in West Africa, the Kejetia Market, home to over 10,000 stores and stalls.
Here's a table summarizing key aspects of Kumasi's history:
| Period | Key Events/Developments |
|---|---|
| Late 17th Century | Emergence as capital of the Ashanti Empire under Osei Tutu I |
| Early 18th Century | Invasion by Aowin, curbed by Asantehene Opoku Ware I |
| 19th Century | European visitors describe neatness and sophistication of the city. Anglo-Ashanti Wars and British colonization |
| 1874 | City ransacked by the British Empire |
| 1901 | Ashanti becomes a formal colony of the British Empire |
| Post-Independence | Kumasi serves as the capital of the Ashanti Region |
Kumasi’s name is more than a label - it embodies the Ashanti Kingdom’s heritage, leadership, and enduring legacy.
The Ashanti Kingdom’s legacy continues through the people, places, and practices that keep it alive.
History of The Ashanti Empire of Ghana
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