Kumasi Palace Petitions

These documents or petitions to the paramount chief (Asantehene) were appeals to him of unfavorable decisions lower in the chiefly hierarchy. They were written by professional letter-writers doing business outside his court in Kumasi, who could translate from many local languages into the formal English used for recordkeeping. The oral proceedings would have been conducted in Akan Twi. They concern disputes between foreign Muslim immigrants and local Asante, but also disputes between two immigrants that lower level chiefs could not manage to settle.

Palaver Held at the Central Market, Kumasi (October 13, 1946)

This document shows high-ranking palace officials mediating a conflict between male traders from Gao (Mali) and Asante women traders.

A Runaway Wife (January 3, 1939)

This wronged husband is appealing to the Asantehene because he feels the chief of his ethnic community in Kumasi has been unfair