Dormaahene drops another bombshell about Okomfo Anokye’s tale about Kumasi and Kumawu

Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Dormaa Traditional Area, has challenged the historical narrative behind the names of Kumasi and Kumawu.

According to popular history, the Asante Kingdom was founded in the 18th century by King Osei Tutu I, with the guidance of his spiritual leader, Okomfo Anokye.

Historical accounts state that Okomfo Anokye planted two trees in a forest, predicting that one would thrive and become the capital of the Ashanti Kingdom, while the other would die.

This, historians say, gave birth to the names Kumasi- “the tree lived”- and Kumawu- “the tree died”.

However, in a recent interview shared on social media, the Dormaahene has dismissed this story as false.

“They said Komfo Anokye planted two trees, that one survived and the other did not, which gave the names to Kumawu and Kumasi. That is not true.

“When we say Kumasi today, I am teaching you live and clear. In the olden days, the place they called Asante was under the Denkyira chief. The Kumasi people were under Denkyira and were fetching firewood for him. The name of the tool used for cutting firewood is the axe, akuma. So, the actual name was ‘Akuma Ase Hene’, not Kumasi. It is a lie.

“If you are a chief who can read and write, you should fear nobody. If everyone keeps quiet, the Dormaa people will not keep quiet or hide,” he said.

The Dormaahene has been outspoken on historical narratives in Ghana, often questioning widely held beliefs.

He recently cast doubt on the origin story of the Golden Stool (Sika Dwa Kofi), a sacred symbol of the Ashanti Kingdom said to have been summoned from the sky by Okomfo Anokye.

Speaking during the launch of the Bonokyempem Council in the Bono Region on August 14, 2025, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, who is also Justice Daniel Mensah, a High Court Judge, questioned this claim.

“If anyone tells you they can summon something to descend from the sky, I, Agyeman Badu II, am saying it is a lie. Didn’t you see when the Golden Stool was recently displayed? It looked welded. Didn’t you see?” he asked.

According to historical accounts, the Golden Stool is believed to have descended in a cloud of white dust, amidst thunder, landing on the lap of King Osei Tutu I at the command of Okomfo Anokye.