18/06/2024
THE SEVEN PARAMOUNTCIES OF THE NZEMAS.
Like any other Akan state or tribe, Nzema has chiefs and a king. They have paramount chiefs who pay homages to the king.
A paramountcy consists of several geographical divisions such as towns, villages, suburbs, and even cottages.
In the Nzemaland, there are seven paramountcies. Unlike the Asante kingdom, the Nzema kingdom used to be one solid state, and even a kingdom before the subdivision began.
Under the reign of King Kaku Aka the first, Nzema became a centralized state and later a kingdom. It is noted that in the times of King Kaku Aka I, if he summoned chiefs to Adoabo, you dared not appear late under the excuse of “I live faraway.”
However, after his capture, the kingdom started falling apart under the rule of King Ebanyele I.
Smaller groups were formed under the same kingdom and broke away from the two main groups that Ɛbanyenlɛ created. The half that was able to stay somewhat firm during this period of chaos even remains two paramountcies till date.
The very first major division of the kingdom was Dwɔmɔlɔ and Ɛlɛmgbɛlɛ. Nevertheless, more divisions were experienced. The Dwɔmɔlɔ division which is known as the Western Nzema Council, was divided into two that is the Dwɔmɔlɔ division and the Basame division.
The other strong half that is Ɛlɛmgbɛlɛ, which represents the Eastern Nzema Council, was also divided into two parties. It constituted Ɛlɛmgbɛlɛ, and Ɛvaloɛ, Adwɔmɔlɔ and Egila.
Unfortunately, the Ɛvaloɛ Adwɔmɔlɔ and Egila division could not stand as one; hence they broke down further into five smaller parties. Today these divisions are known as the Egila, Adwɔmɔlɔ, Nsanye, Upper Axim and Lower Axim divisions.
With the test of time, the Nzema kingdom has evolved a lot. Only time can tell if they can one day come together or break down further into more divisions.
It is believed that the curse (the head of Nzema will always be separated from the other parts of its body) laid on Nzema by its king Kaku Aka I, will forever torment Nzema and fuel its divisions until the wrong done to him is righted.
True to his words, till date, Nzema has never been united as all these paramountcies remain autonomous and pay no homage to any particular king in the kingdom.
It has even come to our notice that there is another paramountcy springing out of the Ellembelle paramountcy which will have its capital at Awiaso (the hometown of King Kaku Aka I). The division’s head is a descendant of King Kaku Aka I, and his mission is to reunite Nzema to its former original state.
As it stands, Nzema has seven official paramountcies which are widely recognized and gazetted. They are Jomoro, Ellembelle, Ajomoro, Gwira, Nsein, Upper Axim and Lower Axim.
Now, how can the wrong done to the great king be righted?
Or you belong to the school of thought which says “Kaku Aka’s ability as a king has never resurfaced on the earth; hence, Nzema will be in the ruins so long as it lacks THE MAN”?
Yaba KG