Boamponsem
Encyclopedia
Boamponsem was a Denkyirahene, or ruler of the Denkyira
people, from the 1650s until his death.
Denkyira was an African nation that existed in Ghana before the United Kingdom
incorporated the Gold Coast
into the British Empire
. The Denkyira people maintain tribal identity and their traditional royalty despite losing their independence and sovereignty.
In 1692, Boamponsem sent an envoy to the Gold Coast
to engage with the newly encamped Dutch and English trading posts and military installations, to gather intelligence, trade, and advocate his people's interests. Boamponsem is remembered in Denkyiran tradition as a successful but autocratic ruler.
Denkyira
Denkyira was a powerful nation of Akan people that existed in southern present-day Ghana from 1620. Like all Akans they originated from Bono state. Before 1620 Denkyira was called Agona. The ruler of the Denkyira was called Denkyirahene and the capital was Jukwaa...
people, from the 1650s until his death.
Denkyira was an African nation that existed in Ghana before the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
incorporated the Gold Coast
Gold Coast (region)
The Gold Coast was the region of West Africa which is now the nation of Ghana. Early uses of the term refer literally to the coast and not the interior. It was not until the 19th century that the term came to refer to areas that are far from the coast...
into the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. The Denkyira people maintain tribal identity and their traditional royalty despite losing their independence and sovereignty.
In 1692, Boamponsem sent an envoy to the Gold Coast
Gold Coast (region)
The Gold Coast was the region of West Africa which is now the nation of Ghana. Early uses of the term refer literally to the coast and not the interior. It was not until the 19th century that the term came to refer to areas that are far from the coast...
to engage with the newly encamped Dutch and English trading posts and military installations, to gather intelligence, trade, and advocate his people's interests. Boamponsem is remembered in Denkyiran tradition as a successful but autocratic ruler.
Sources
- McKaskie, T. C. "Denkyira in the Making of Asante" in The Journal of African History Vol. 48 (2007) no. 1, p. 1-2