The Asanteman Council, Asante's highest
traditional authority, has set the dates for the 150th anniversary of the 3rd
Anglo-Asante war, commonly known as the Sagrenti battle, which resulted in the
burning and pillage of the Asantehene's palace, Kofi Karikari..
According to the Juabenhene, Nana Otuo
Siriboe II, the anniversary will be honored with a symposium on February 6,
2024, and a durbar on February 8, 2024.
The fight began on February 6th. The
intention is to have an event on February 6th and a durbar on February
8th," he declared during the Asanteman Council's final meeting of the year
at the Manhyia Palace
The anniversary of the Sagrenti battle
will be one of the most significant happenings in Asanteman in 2024, a year
that will also mark the Silver Jubilee of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu
II's coronation.
The Juabenhene also stated that a
700-page book on the history of the Asante Kingdom, compiled by the British in
partnership with the Kingdom's traditional rulers, will be released.
Sagrenti conflict
In 1874, the British force, headed by
General Sir Garnet Wolseley, rushed on the Asante army, which had previously
inflicted a crushing defeat on the British and was also invading the Gold Coast
coastal nations.
The fight was dubbed the "Sagrenti
War" because the natives of the Gold Coast couldn't pronounce Sir Garnet
Wolseley's name.
When the British arrived on
February 4, the Ashanti abandoned the capital, Kumasi. They used
explosives to obliterate the royal palace, leaving Kumasi in a heap of
smoldering ruins.
