Asafo are traditional warrior groups in Akan culture. The word derives from sa, meaning war, and fo, meaning people. The traditional role of the asafo companies was defence of the King and the state. As the result of contact with European colonial powers on the Gold Coast (present-day Ghana), the Fante, who inhabit the coastal region, developed an especially complex version of the concept in terms of its social and political organization based on martial principles, and with elaborate traditions of visual art, including flag banners with figurative scenes.
For the purpose of this lesson, we will focus on the Fante Asafo companies based at Cape Coast and other communities in the Central region. Each asafo company has designated uniform colors that have been historically established identifies these in Cape Coast as:
- No. 1. Bentsir – red
- No. 2. Anafo – blue and white
- No. 3. Ntsin – green
- No. 4. Nkum – yellow
- No. 5. Amanful – wine and black
- No. 6. Abrofomba (Brofo Nkoa) – white
- No. 7. Ankrampa – white and black
ASAFO MUSIC DURING THE CAPE COAST FESTIVAL
FIELD WORK ON ASAFO PRAISE SONGS
ASAFO DANCE BY A CULTURAL GROUP
ASAFO FLAG DANCERS
YOUNG PEOPLE CARRY THE TRADITION ALIVE
ASAFO AGONA
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