The Baoulé of Côte d'Ivoire and the Asante of Ghana are Akan peoples. By tradition the former descend from a group that left the Asante kingdom in the eighteenth century under Queen Pokou. Both peoples kept many traits from this common root while following distinct histories.
ashanti.wikiOur sister site on the Asante Kingdom: history, Golden Stool, Kumasi, language →What They Share
- Matrilineal descent and the role of women in society.
- Gold and weaving: gold weights, jewellery, hand-woven cloth (the Baoulé pagne and the Asante kente).
- Related languages: Baoulé and Twi are Akan languages with close words (see The Baoulé Language).
- Names by day of birth, but with different correspondences.
What Sets Them Apart
| Baoulé | Asante | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Côte d'Ivoire (centre) | Ghana (Ashanti Region) |
| Historic capital | Sakassou | Kumasi |
| Founding figure | Abla Pokou | Osei Tutu I and Okomfo Anokye |
| Language | Baoulé (bci) | Asante Twi |
| Textile | Wawlé tanni pagne | Kente |
| Colonial power | France | Great Britain |
| Boy born on a Saturday | Koffi | Kwame |
| Boy born on a Friday | Yao | Kofi |
Mind the names. Koffi (Baoulé) was born on a Saturday; Kofi (Asante) on a Friday. See Baoulé Names.
Going Further on the Asante Side
- Origins & Foundation of the Asante Empire
- The Asantehenes (including Osei Tutu I and Opoku Ware I, named in the Pokou legend)
- The Golden Stool
- The Twi language