THE ASANTE KINGDOM

Introduction
The events recorded in the Holy Bible were mostly centred on the then kingdom of Israel, and thus, chronicled the rule of the Kings through whom the God of Israel ruled the nation. Similarly, the SECOND BIBLE, which originates from the Asante Kingdom, could not discard or do away with the Kings who are the instruments through whom the Gods, who are the representative of God the Creator, rule the kingdom.
The ASANTE KINGDOM, which is one of the greatest kingdoms globally, is ruled by OTUMFOƆ OSEI TUTU 11, one of the globally MIGHTY AND HIGHLY RESPECTED KINGS.
The Kingdom of Asante which migrated from Israel, thus follow the same system of rulership through kingship. At my PhD research, which was titled ASANTE FOLKLORE AND KUMASI KIOSK ARCHITECTURE: A VISUAL EXPLORATION OF HYBRIDITY AND MYTHOGRAPHY, I stated at the Literature Review that the origin of the Asantes is the Land of Israel. By virtue of the fact that Asantes migrated from Israel, the Asante Kingdom could be likened to that of the olden days of Israel.
There are historical writings and traditions that connect the Akan/Asante with ancient Israel or the Hebrews. A scholarly article on Akan identity notes that proposed origins included Sudan, the Old Mali Empire, Burkina Faso. Actually those were the places they temporally stayed on their way from Israel but not as their place of origin.
Joseph J. Williams also asserted in Hebrewisms of West Africa, published in 1930,that the Asantes trace their origin from Israel, arguing for Hebrew elements among West African peoples, particularly the Ashanti.
The two people who led the Asantes from Israel were Kobia and Amenfi. After them came Oti Akenten and then came Nana Obiri Yeboah who reigned as the first King.
The Asantes arrived with the culture of being ruled by a leader known as King who is enthroned through a hierarchy of royal family. By virtue of the semblance of the system put in place in terms of rulership, the Asantes revere their kings as well as their chiefs and sub-chiefs in the same way the people of Israel revered their kings.
No wonder, the current King of Asante, by name of Otumfoɔ Osei Tutu 11 is sometimes referred to as “King Solomon.’’ That is not only symbolic to the wisdom of King Solomon, but also the authority and glory of Otumfoɔ Osei Tutu 11, which is like that of King Solomon.

THE ASANTE RULERS BEFORE THE ASANTE EMPIRE
The traditional/pre-imperial sequence commonly associated with the development
of the Oyoko royal line includes:
No. Ruler Approximate period Political position
1 Nana Twum c. 1570–1590 Kwaamanhene
2 Nana Antwi c. 1590–1600 Kwaamanhene
3 Nana Kobia Amamfi c. 1600–1630 Kwaamanhene
4 Nana Oti Akenten c. 1630–1640 Kwaamanhene
5 Nana Obiri Yeboah c. 1640–c. 1680 Kumasehene
6 Nana Osei Tutu I c. 1680/1690s–1717 Kumasehene → first Asantehene
The dates for these early rulers are approximate, and historical sources differ somewhat. Nana Osei Tutu is generally regarded as the founder of the Asante Political Empire.
COMPLETE LIST OF THE ASANTEHENE
The Manhyia Archives officially lists sixteen occupants of the Golden Stool, beginning with Nana Osei Tutu I, and continuing to the present Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

1. Nana Osei Tutu I – c. 1701–1717
   Founder of the Asante Empire/Asanteman and the first Asantehene. He is traditionally associated with the establishment of the Golden Stool as the symbol of Asante unity.
2. Otumfoɔ Nana Opoku Ware I – 1720–1750
   Succeeded Osei Tutu and greatly expanded and consolidated the Asante State.
3. Otumfoɔ Nana Kusi Obodom – 1750–1764
   Ruled for approximately fourteen years.
4. Otumfoɔ Nana Osei Kwadwo – 1764–1777
   Ruled for approximately thirteen years.
5. Otumfoɔ Nana Osei Kwame – 1777–1798
   (Some historical lists give slightly different dates.)
6. Otumfoɔ Nana Opoku Fofie – 1798–1799/1800. (A very short reign).
7. Otumfoɔ Nana Osei Bonsu – c. 1800–1823/1824
   Also known in some historical sources as Osei Tutu Kwamena Asibe Bonsu.
8. Otumfoɔ Nana Osei Yaw Akoto – 1824–1834. Ruled for approximately ten years.
9. Otumfoɔ Nana Kwaku Dua I – 1834–1867. One of the longest-reigning Asante kings.
10. Otumfoɔ Nana Kofi Karikari. – 1867–1874
    His reign ended following the defeat of Asante in the Anglo-Asante conflict of 1873–74.
    11.Otumfoɔ Nana Mensa Bonsu. – 1874–1883. He was subsequently destooled.
11. Otumfoɔ Nana Kwaku Dua II. – 1884. His reign lasted only about 40 days.
12. Otumfoɔ Nana Agyeman Prempeh I. – 1888–1931
    Originally known as Kwaku Dua III Asamu. He was one of the most important Asante rulers in the confrontation with British colonial expansion. He was exiled and later restored.
    14.Otumfoɔ Nana Agyeman Prempeh II. – 1931–1970
    He restored and strengthened the institution of the Asantehene during the late colonial and early post-independence period.
13. Otumfoɔ Nana Opoku Ware II. – 1970–1999. Reigned for twenty-nine years.
14. Otumfoɔ Nana Osei Tutu II. – 1999–date. The current Asantehene.
    This sixteen-person list is directly consistent with the Manhyia Archives’ royal list, which states that the Golden Stool has had sixteen occupants.
    Interestingly, later historical discussion has also noted that Asante royal historical traditions themselves became involved in this debate, including claims concerning an ancient connection between the Ashanti and the Hebrews.
    At the same time, historian Jack Goody strongly cautioned against treating speculative migration reconstructions based on cultural similarities as established historical evidence.