24/08/2026
HISTORY OF BIDABIAKYE / BITEBISO — The Double-Decker Umbrella*
This is the most powerful royal symbol in Akan history, and it belongs to *Techiman (Takyiman)*.
*1. Origin — From Bonoman:*
Historically, all royal umbrellas (Bamkyim) come from the Bono people. When *Nana Asaman* founded Bonoman around 1295 AD, chiefs used a *single-decker umbrella*. This was the original Bamkyim.
*2. The Invention — 1650s:*
In the 1650s, *Bonohene Nana Akumfi Ameyaw II* introduced a new form — *two umbrellas in one*, one sitting on top of the other.
He called it:
- *Bidabiakye*
- *Bitebiso* — which literally means *"someone sits on someone else" / "something is placed on top of another"*
*3. The Meaning & Power:*
It was not just decoration. It was a declaration of supreme power.
It gave birth to the famous Akan proverb and appellation:
> *"Ahenfo kyinyɛ bida biakyi"* — _Chiefs share the double umbrella_ / Only the supreme king deserves the double-decker.
Nana Akumfi Ameyaw II was a very powerful and feared king. He deposed chiefs who disobeyed him and executed criminals. That's why he earned the name *"Akumfi Agyeman"* — _Slayer of men, conqueror of states_. The umbrella showed that all other chiefs were under him.
*4. From Bonohene to Takyimanhene:*
Originally, the double-decker was *reserved ONLY for the Bonohene*. No other chief was allowed to use it.
When Bono Manso collapsed in 1723, the Bono state moved to Techiman. The Techiman stool became the successor, holding the *Bonokyempem Duaduakwa — the oldest Akan stool*. So the Takyimanhene inherited the exclusive right to the Bidabiakye.
As time went on, the single-decker spread to all Southern Akan states (Asante, Akyem, Fante etc.), but the double-decker remained the Bonohene's symbol. In contemporary times, many paramount chiefs now use it, but it is still the *traditional and spiritual identity of Oseadeeyo Techimanhene*.
*5. Today:*
That is why when you see *His Royal Majesty Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV* under the double-decker with the wooden *Akonnwa bird (hen and chicks) finial* on top, it is a direct link to 1295 AD — he is sitting on the oldest stool, under the oldest umbrella, as *Akan Piesie (Firstborn of all Akans)*.