Objects
Osuanyi Quaicoo Essel

Ahenema sandals on display. © Osuanyi Quaicoo Essel

Footwear as a Token of Identity

 

The study traces the historical origin of ahenema and investigates its socio-cultural relevance in Asante chieftaincy cultural milieu. The study found ahenema as a culturally essential fashion object, whose origin dates back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of the fourth Asante king, Otumfuo Osei Kwadwo Okoawia who ruled from 1764 to 1777; and the queenship of Nana Konadu Yiadom I (whose tenure began in 1768 – 1809). As an essential cultural footwear accessory with densely-layered symbolisms, ahenema became regalia for the chiefdom, a tradition which has remained unchanged; and spread to be multicultural and multinational. Ahenema, has unwavering socio-cultural power in the (un)making of kings/chiefs in Akan culture in the realms of enstoolment and destoolment rituals of Asante chiefs as well as other Akan chiefs as a whole. They are ascribed symbolic, philosophical, and proverbial names which are cultural codes and language that need to be decoded.