The evolution of paramount chiefs among the adangme to the end of the nineteenth century: the case of the Krobo (Ghana)

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Periodical article

Title:	The evolution of paramount chiefs among the adangme to the end of the nineteenth century: the case of the Krobo (Ghana)
Author:	Wilson, Louis E.
Year:	1986
Periodical:	Genève-Afrique: acta africana
Volume:	24
Issue:	2
Pages:	73-100
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Ghana
Subjects:	Krobo traditional rulers
Abstract:	Throughout the history of the Adangme of southern Ghana and the Krobo in particular, there were two sets of rulers, secular and priestly, with the latter dominant. As the Krobo settlements expanded in size and ethnic complexity during the eighteenth century, the ruling institutions gradually changed. The direction of change was towards greater elaboration of the priestly rulers and delegation of authority to selected clans or subtribes. Under the influence, during the nineteenth century, missionaries and colonial officials, the traditional Adangme/Krobo system of rulership began to change dramatically. Religious factors, which had previously been dominant, now gave way to a series of external forces, such as the trade in palm oil. The Konor (originally 'war chief' or 'king') became the recognized paramount chief with an unprecedented amount of power. Notes, ref., sum. in English, German, and French.