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17 Facts About Yaa Asantewaa

1.

Yaa Asantewaa was appointed by her brother Nana Akwasi Afrane Okese, the Edwesuhene, or ruler, of Edwesu.

2.

Yaa Asantewaa was born in 1840 in Besease, the daughter of Kwaku Ampoma and Ata Po.

3.

Yaa Asantewaa entered a polygamous marriage with a man from Kumasi, with whom she had a daughter.

4.

Yaa Asantewaa was an intellectual, a politician, a human rights activist, a queen and a war leader.

5.

Yaa Asantewaa became famous for commanding the Ashanti Kings in the War of the Golden Stool, against British colonial rule, to defend and protect the sovereign independence of the Golden Stool.

6.

When her brother died in 1894, Yaa Asantewaa used her right as Queen Mother to nominate her own grandson as Ejisuhene.

7.

Yaa Asantewaa, who was present at this meeting, stood and addressed the members of the council with these words:.

8.

Yaa Asantewaa was chosen by a number of regional Asante kings to be the war leader of the Asante fighting force.

9.

Yaa Asantewaa inspired and rallied her people to fight back against the British during which she gave this speech:.

10.

Yaa Asantewaa challenged gender roles and urged women to stand up to fight.

11.

Nana Yaa Asantewaa died in exile in the Seychelles on 17 October 1921.

12.

Nana Yaa Asantewaa understood the ramifications of British colonial rule.

13.

Yaa Asantewaa is seen by Ghanaians today as a queen mother who exercised her political and social right to help defend her kingdom.

14.

Nana Yaa Asantewaa's call to the women of the Asante Empire is rooted in the political obligations of Akan women and their significant roles in legislative and judicial processes.

15.

Yaa Asantewaa remains a beloved figure in both Ashanti history and the broader history of Ghana, renowned for her role in confronting British colonialism.

16.

The museum features traditional Ashanti architecture and a house Yaa Asantewaa might have lived in.

17.

Yaa Asantewaa is a worldwide recognized historic figure with contemporary value for women rights and freedom.