13/06/2025
History of Wassa and Nyankamu (Aowin)
The foundation of Wassa is split into two kingdoms namely Wassa Fiase and Wassa Amanfi. The Wassa kingdom is called the Assa kingdom by Portuguese sources. There were at least 15 orders of expenses incurred by the Portuguese between 1514 and 1524 as gifts to the king of Assas.
The founders of Wassa believed to have migrated Bono, precisely Bonomanso which Techiman succeeded. Right after the migration, they lived on Amanfi lands that they shared with the Aowin. Before the installation of the Asamankoma royal clan in Aborade during the reign of Animiri Panyi, the people occupied several sites partly because of the difficulties of cohabitation with the Aowin and partly because of the incursions of the Denkyira.
It was during the reign of Gyetuan Manso that Wassa joined forces with Adum to wage war against Ahanta, Akatakyi and Egwira. It was with joy that the Eguafo installed the Borbor Fante of the Nkusukum subgroup in the Akatakyi area, so that they could act as a screen against attacks from Wassa and Adum. The leading founders of Wassa were part of those who founded the bretuo clan in Bonomanso and left in faction with the Fante migrants .
The oral tradition of Benso cites 7 kings before Gyetuan Manso. He himself succeeded Queen Kraba Afane. This means that the men of the royal lineage were decimated by the Denkyira incursions. King Animiri Panyi created a 'son seat' for his son Atobra the founder of Mampongso. A significant part of the population gathered in Mampongso. Migrants from all over were received and integrated into the kingdom during the reign of Animiri Panyi. This was the case of founders of the Manso chiefdom. Under the leadership of Nana Katakyiri, they came to settle in Aborade with King Animiri Panyi.
The Asona founders of the Manso chiefdom claim to be have migrated from Bonomanso (Techiman). In Aborade, they suffered an attack from the troops of the warrior leader Agya Ananse Oboman of Denkyira. The population of Aborade settled in Anweemu. King Kwame Animiri, successor to Animiri Panyi moved the capital from Anweemu to Amantin Dade. The new capital had the advantage of being a gold site, it attracted many populations. In the political organization of Wassa, only Wassahene bore the title Ohene (chief, king).
The secondary chiefs bore the title Yamfo and Kotopono (to kneel). The Benkumhene of Adum Banso and the Nifahene of Awudua (Apinto) from the 18th century, became the most important chiefs after the king. They played a decisive role in the enthronement and dismissal of the king. Only the main seat of the kingdom held a seat for queens.
During the reign of Animiri Kwao I (he reigned during the first half of the 18th century), there were many migrants who came to settle in Wassa.
The founders of the chiefdoms of the Pepesa area are among them. The Awudua chiefdom was created by migrants from Aowin from the village of Ahamkoma (the name of this village in Aowin is Anyankoma (nu)). In reality, the founders of Awudua were former members of the Wassa royal lineage who for a while went to Aowin before returning to Wassa. Indeed, the chiefdoms of Boinso and Anyankomanu in Ebrossa say that their ancestors were members of the Wassa royal lineage, who left from Benso under the leadership of Nana Gyenini. It was therefore designed that Nana Apia Kwakwa and his successors had to exercise the function of Abakoma.
The founders of Dompim Pepesa also came from Aowin, they were from the Agona clan and even took part in the creation of Klendjabo, the capital of Sanvi. Nana Nyima Panyi lead their trips to Dompim Pepesa. The Agona (Anona) of the Nsuaem chiefdom also come from Aowin. From Betenase, they left for the Suaman of Dadièso. Some of their people remained there. Nana Apeko Brempong also left Dadieso to create Nsuaem where the king of Wassa made them Adumfo (executioners). The founders of Simpa in the Pepesa area were also in Aowin in the village of Amanpo. They passed through Ngelekazo (in Nzema), to Bamiango (capital of Egwira) then ended up at Simpa in Wassa Fiase.
Source; Professor Allou Rene Kouame: Côte d'lvoire.
