Abusua Family Groups of the Akan
A brief explanation of the seven, sometimes eight, abusua, or major Akan family groups. These families founded Akan dynasties like Asante, Fante, and Denkyira.
Location: Ghana
Note: This article has been excerpted from a larger work in the public domain and shared here due to its historical value. It may contain outdated ideas and language that do not reflect TOTA’s opinions and beliefs.
There are seven principal original family groups or clans, called "Abusuabah-ason" among the Tshi nation, to which ten minor ones are connected. The principal original family groups are: Asekyiri, Asona, Agona, Oyoko, Aduena, Asokore and Abrade (Asenee). The first Adanse kings were of the Asekyiri family group; the kings of Dankera, of the Agona family, the kings of Akwamu of the Abrade family, and the first three kings of Asante of the Akoona family, but those from Osei Tutu downwards are of the Oyoko family group. The Asona family group is the most numerous and is found in several states, viz., Akem Abuakwa, Akuapem, Wasa, Fante, Agona, Ofeso &c. If they could be united, they would form the most powerful body on the Gold Coast. This family group appears to have been once most powerful, but at what period, we are not certain.
In all these families, succession is principally with brothers and sisters of the deceased (and sometimes even any competent person of the same family, but from another town), as for instance, Kwaw Ehura Ako, the first king of Gomoa Asen, was succeeded by Kusa Ada of Abora; hence, when there is no brother, the nephew takes the mother's place. In this light, we find no vital difference in the form of succession with the Tshi people and that of the Akras. The lawful son is the lieu- in an Akra family, when there is no brother or sister, whilst in the state, the lawful son is the heir, when there is no lawful half-brother of the deceased.
Reindorf, Carl Christian. History of the Gold Coast and Asante. Missionsbuchhandlung, 1895.
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