The Making of an African King: Patrilineal and Matrilineal Struggle Among the Effutu of Ghana [Hardcover]

Anthony Ephirim-Donkor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2000 | ISBN-10: 0865437165 | ISBN-13: 978-0865437166

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.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An interesting thesis.

(International Journal Of African Historical Studies ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

In the West, the primacy of patrilineal succession is so deeply entrenched that the thought of supplanting that with matrilineal succession would bc unthinkable. But that is exactly the situation among the Guan community of Winneba, Ghana called the Effutu. Their ancient patrilineal system of succession is in contention with the matrilineal succession practiced by their populous Akan neighbors. In a larger context chieftaincy disputes, or better yet, kingship rivalry is endemic in Ghana, particularly among the Akan. Each year the government commits considerable resources to combat these rivalries that sometimes result in conflicts and inter-ethnic warfare. These conflicts may be caused by rivalry among the members of the same family vying for the kingship. Affluent non-royals or those with remote ties to royalty may buy their way to power. A tributary king, or the descendants of a family that was given a sanctuary by the king whose land their ancestors occupied may then contest the kingship. What this book does is examine the two competing systems and their political ramifications, and, ultimately, establish the rightful heirs to the stool of the lion (Gyata). While the book focuses on the Effutu, it is a classic example of Ghanaian royal politicking. It takes an in-depth religio-historical and political approach in examining the settlement of Winneba, and the establishment of the institutional frameworks for nation building. Infused with supernatural capabilities of the early settlers, the book brings to life the personal as well as the collective stories of the pioneers. Internal and external written sources are examined in relation to the factors that precipitated the polarization and strife among the Effutu. Finally, the book deals with the socio-political structure, religion and their cosmic significance, and occupational and economic practices of the Effutu. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 226 pages
• Publisher: Africa World Pr (June 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865437165
• ISBN-13: 978-0865437166
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,807,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Clash of Confusions, September 26, 2003

By 

Peter Hogan (London, Oburoniland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Making of an African King: Patrilineal & Matrilineal Struggle Among the Effutu of Ghana (Paperback)

A fascinating attempt to describe and analyse the phenomenon of stool succession disputes illustrating how life can be made complex and complicated whilst two separate traditions vie for supremacy on a foundation of misunderstanding and mischief. I admire the author's perspicacity in undertaking this work and pay tribute to his skills as a researcher and explainer, however I wish it had been better proofed before publication.