Reclaiming the Stool: Revisiting Akan Clan identity with poetry

In an era of rapid modernisation and global digital influence, Ghana, its global diaspora, and people across all cultures risk losing touch with the rich foundations of the Akan matrileanal clan system (Abusua). Where our elders once instinctively knew their totems (Akyeneboa), responses, and historical roles, younger generations increasingly view these lineages as relics of the past rather than living frameworks for identity.

Today, this work uses poetry to explain the clans as the ancestors would have, restoring pride in Akan history, tradition, and philosophy while offering people of all backgrounds a vibrant way to experience and enjoy this heritage.

Hopefully, you can imagine the Fontomfrom drums, authentic Twi invocations, and direct totemic symbolism in honour of the eight principal Akan clans as you read:

Agona (The Parrot / Ako): Celebrates the gift of eloquence, diplomatic speech, and speaking truth without fear.

Oyoko (The Falcon / Ɔkrɔmpon): Honours sovereign vision, royal authority, and the legacy of leadership that built the Asante kingdom.

Asona (The Crow / Ahene): Reflects diplomatic mastery, sharp intellect, and the ancient stool heritage of the Akyem traditional area.

Aduana (The Fire-Bearing Dog / Ɔkraman): Symbolises the legendary trailblazers and town-builders who carried fire through the wilderness to forge settlements out of the dark.

Asenie (The Bat / Apan): Encapsulates strategic concealment, nocturnal vigilance, and the wisdom of protecting what is sacred.

Ekuona (The Buffalo / Ekoɔ): Embodies unyielding physical endurance, raw strength, and the collective defence of the family unit.

Asakyiri (The Vulture/Eagle / Pɛtɛ): Portrays spiritual cleansing, resilience, and the noble principle of Asante Nkae, releasing past grievances to fly above historical pain.

Bretuo (The Leopard / Ɔsebɔ): Captures agile grace, warrior pride, and the unconquerable spirit that brings victory home.

This piece helps Ghanaians reconnect with their roots while inviting people everywhere to experience the beauty of Akan tradition. Through these spoken words, the heartbeat of the Abusua remains alive in today's world.

1. Agona

Agona
A go na
A go na
A ga na
Parrot
Parrot
Parrot
Me frɛ wo a gye so
When I call you respond
Gye so
Answer me.
Answer me.
Wo na wo ka
You said it ooo
You said it ooo.
You are the one who breaks tradition in your beak.

You are the one who flies above it
Within it,
Inside it.
You are the one who makes love
To other birds who fly with its mating song.
Agona
Parrot.
Gye me so.
Tradition giver and breaker with your beak.
You who they call eloquent
Mimicker with own voice
That shakes the mundane hums
With breaks flying in and out.
Agona - who eats out of the sacred trees of language for knowledge and understanding.

Agona who doesn't do robotic jargon.
Agona who mocks those who use big big words.
Agona who handles tradition in its beak while breaking it.

Agona the bird of colour who stands uniquely.

2. Oyoko

Ayekoo
Welcome
Falcon of the clans
Welcome
Ayekoo
You who make noise with air
Stand high up above life
Holding it from the air
Oyoko
Hold your wings with elegant swagger
Your claws with authority
Standing strong on the land you hold heavily.

So as how the hawk mates with the air
Upstanding sometimes play fighting with the air.

Falcon who flies high.
Hawk decorated with honour.
Falcon decorated with pizzazz
Falcon, swift, of power.
Eagle holding destiny with each young it brings.

Power bird
Fly high mate with the air.
Ayekoooooooo
Welcoooome
Oyoko.
The clan of great Kings and Queen Mothers
Clan of Royals who fly above and make history not seen on land.

Ayekooo Oyoko.

3. Asona

Spirit bird
Bird of the Ancestors.
Friend of the wild crow.
Kasa
Speak
Kasa
Speak
What have you seen to give.
Wise bird.
Where have you been?
Bird that harvests crops.
Bird that harvests crops.
Tell us how you did it.
Intelligent bird
Yaa Asona
Wo nim adeɛ
You know well
Diplomat you are wise in the world.
Akyem hene
Asona nie.

4. 
   Aduana

Aduana
Dog with a fire stick in mouth
Dog with a fire stick in mouth.
Fire fire Aduana.
Aduana.
The wild dog of the flame.
The dog that built its own houses from the dark.

Fire maker of its own nations.

5. Asenie

Nocturnal bat
Eyes of glow.
Asenie kyerɛ yɛn kwan
Show us the way.
Asenie who is hard to know.
Teach us how to hide what is precious.
Teach us how to survive in the dark.
Strategic Bat.

6. 
   Ekuona

Ekuona nie
This is Ekuona
Ekuona nie
This is Ekuona.
The Buffalo who stamps on ground effortlessly.

The Buffalo of the forest.
The Buffalo who protects with its horns.
The Buffalo unafraid.
The Buffalo of many.
Ekuona stand tall.

7. 
   Asakyiri

Old vulture who is sometimes an Eagle.
Spread your wings
Teach us to fly above
Where the past is dead.
Teach us to move forward
Wipe our issues away.
One of your people says Asante Nkae
Don't let us remember what hurts us.
Lead the way
Kyerɛ kwan
Ancient bird.

8. 
   Bretuo

Me dɔ
My love.
Bretuo
The leopard.
Agile.
Bretuo
Ɔkrɔkrɔ ne kra
Warrior cat that preserves its life in its spirit.

Defensive leopard with sharp claws.
Who can defeat you?
Bretuo nie den
Tough Bretuo.
Bretuo wo de nkunim ba.
Bretuo which brings victory.
Continue the agile dance.
The images of the totems in gold and surrounded by black are from Creo Concepts Ghana, a graphic design company that promotes Ghanaian culture.