阿散蒂王国历史 | 波兰球历史向科普
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嘿，欢迎来到我的频道
很高兴今天能带你穿越历史长河，经历一场惊心动魄的冒险
因为我们将踏上一段迷人王国的黄金心脏之旅
那是一段长久以来等待被揭晓的历史
我向你保证，这会是一段有趣的旅程
所以系好安全带，拿好零食，我们出发吧！
坐落于阿肯森林深处、远离着闪亮黄金海岸的，
便是库马西王国
几个世纪以来，他们一直在登基拉王国的枷锁下苦苦挣扎
但在1701年，转折点出现了：
一场名为“*费亚斯之战*”的战斗打响了
库马西取得了决定性的胜利，由此获得了作为独立王国的合法地位
好吧话说回来那有点太简洁了，让我再试一次
登基拉王国是说契维语民族中最强大的
他们与埃尔米纳的荷兰商站进行了有利可图的贸易
当然也少不了没被邀请却到处都是的——海岸角英国商队
在该国权利鼎盛时期，
登基拉国王*博蓬森*十分富有
因此被誉为第一个雇佣会计来记录其庞大财产的阿肯族统治者
登基拉王国确保了与他的贸易伙伴在整个阿肯地区的顺利发展
为了确保这种自由贸易，王国对这些贸易路线进行了严密的监控
这种努力的代价是相当昂贵的
为了支付这笔费用，
王国要求其公民缴纳高昂的贡品，并在其征服的领土上征收高额税收
这使王国成为了一支不可忽视的力量，但代价又是什么呢？
1694年，*恩蒂姆·贾卡里*在*博蓬森*统治40年后
于金凳子上宣誓(就任)
*恩蒂姆·贾卡里*是一个鲁莽且冲动的领导人，
他犯了一个致命的错误，即增加已经过高的贡品(征收)
附属王国拒绝并联合起来对抗登基拉(王国)
库马西(王国)的奥塞·图图领导了联军
登基拉军队在残酷且血腥的*费亚斯之战*中被击败
这便是阿散蒂帝国的诞生
阿散蒂帝国以无与伦比的力量和财富蓬勃发展，
这要归功于从奥芬河中开采的数量惊人的黄金
这种金色的资源不仅使阿散蒂富有，
而且使他们有能力从荷兰人那里购买枪支
这给了他们一个优势，使他们成为一支强大的力量，
轻易地支配了其他说阿肯语的王国，并将这片雨林巩固为一个真正的帝国
就财富和繁荣而言，阿散蒂的财富无与伦比
即使与传说中的"黄金之国"——加纳帝国相比 也是如此
尽管加纳帝国可能已经赢得了这个称号，但与阿散蒂相比简直微不足道
阿散蒂王国的财富规模相当惊人
那么为了帮助我们了解阿散蒂王国的财富，让我们来看看黄金的产量
据估计，到20世纪初约为7000吨，相当于今天的4550亿美元
正如你所见，你很难想象当时在弹指挥间会有多少黄金流经这个王国
提取这些黄金是一项艰苦的工作，
由受奴役的人不知疲倦地进行
黄金以金粉的形式储存，与贝币一道作为该地区的货币使用
评估和操纵黄金的过程是一项复杂和高度专业化的工作，
需要库马西的熟练工匠的专业知识
阿散蒂帝国是一个神权国家，
它有一个令人印象深刻的官僚机构，负责国家事务的各个方面
其外交办公室是管理贸易和条约的重要组成部分
每种关系都由外交办公室中的独立部门管理
这表明了帝国对效率和组织的执着
财政局是另一个关键角色，
其庞大的黄金储备在维护帝国的权力和繁荣方面发挥了重要作用
这个动态体系的目标在于领导公务员制度的*贾塞赫内*
金凳子是权力的终极象征，
在阿散蒂王国的人民中备受尊敬
据说这张金凳子包含了每个阿散蒂公民的灵魂
同时也是阿散蒂帝国之皇——阿散蒂赫内的宝座
根据传说，它还是从天上降落到第一任阿散蒂赫内——奥塞·图图的膝上
从此成为了令人垂涎的象征
就像我之前所说的那样，阿散蒂帝国的皇帝被称为阿散蒂赫内
是帝国内最有权势的人
他还担任帝国元首、 军队总司令和帝国最高法官
*奥赫马*，也就是(阿肯文化中的)王母，在阿散蒂帝国中承担着非常关键的职能
除了司法和立法职能外，
同时作为战争委员会的成员，
她还有去挑选并提名下一任皇帝候选人的责任
她的人选必须获得地区酋长委员会的批准，然后进行选举
如果当选，新皇帝将负责维护主要由宗教教条和国家保护组成的阿散蒂法律
但如果阿散蒂赫内违反了其中的任何规定，
他就有可能会通过一种叫做“下凳”的程序被弹劾
包括脱掉他的拖鞋并将他打倒三次，
剥夺他的权力和职务象征
阿散蒂赫内与阿散蒂酋长大会分享权力
后者是由高级酋长和统治者组成的国民议会，
每年举行一次会议，以解决争端并为各邦做出决策
阿散蒂赫内还得到了阿散蒂科托科的建议
后者是由富有的贵族组成的议会，兼具司法和立法职能
阿散蒂帝国建立在家族单位的基础上，
每个家族由可追溯到共同女性祖先的亲属组成
该家族单位由通过民主程序选举产生的*奥迪基奥*领导
整个帝国等级制度中反复出现的一种模式是：
家族聚集在一起形成一个村庄，
村庄聚集在一起组成一个由*奥赫内*统治的地区，
然后多个地区联合起来形成一个由*阿曼赫内*监管的王国
最终，所有王国联合起来，在阿散蒂赫内的统治下，
建立了强大的阿散蒂帝国
民选领导人制度和家族纽带在塑造这个帝国的过程中发挥了至关重要的作用
库马西是阿散蒂帝国繁忙不停的首都
有统一的警察驻守并管理进城人员
还有被称为*安科比亚*的秘密警察部队通过收集情报和镇压一切叛乱
来保护阿散蒂赫内的利益
这种强大的结合使阿散蒂帝国在19至20世纪一直保持着统治地位
阿散蒂政府从库马西接收来自40多个王国的贡品，
每个王国必须缴纳的贡品数量会发生变化，
一个特别法庭负责处理一切可能出现的纠纷，
没错，荷兰人和英国人也必须向库马西缴纳地租
社会和社会地位是以财富和家庭关系为基础的
王室处于社会顶层，
其次是富裕的贵族上层阶级，称为*西卡波*
下层阶级自由但贫穷，处于社会底层，
都是些要从事体力劳动、 应征入伍和自我牺牲的被奴役者
尽管社会存在分化，但法律禁止谈论他人的社会背景，
即使会说阿肯语的奴隶也能成为阿散蒂家族的重要成员
少数人通过经商获得了巨大的成就，
更多的人被阿散蒂赫内承认为贵族阶层的一员
为了维护封建王权，阿散蒂制定了相关法律，
以防止强大的商人阶级发展壮大，从而构成威胁
财政部派遣了数百名税务人员
在富人死后(对其)执行严格的遗产税
只有一小部分得以在世上流传，
而大多数被没收并成了不动产的一部分
阿散蒂帝国通过军事力量维持对阿肯地区的统治
军队的力量并不完全在于枪支的使用，
而主要在于军队的组织水平
这是任何邻国都无法比拟的
尽管这个帝国是通过战争建立的，但它也是通过和平维系的
阿散蒂帝国的乡村生活与库马西的活力形成了鲜明对比
大多数村庄都是由小家庭组成，以农业为生
这个村庄通常有一条街道，我们将其作为社区的聚会场所
傍晚时分，村民们通常会沿着街道漫步，
进行社交和休闲活动
对于大多数村民来说，生活是平静而又可预测的
好了，一切终了
我们刚刚看到了阿散蒂帝国简史，丰富而又复杂
要学的东西还很多
如果您喜欢本视频，我有个好消息要告诉您
本视频只是同时上传的几个视频之一，
是“不为人知的黑人历史”系列的一部分
所以才会有那么酷的入场动画
我知道你也会喜欢其他视频，
所以请查看它们
如果您有任何想得到答案的问题，可以在下面的评论中留言
请务必订阅并按铃通知，这样您就不会错过任何新视频
感谢观看，我们下期再见
拜
*中文文本未经许可禁止转载
————————————————————
*英文文本著作权归原作者所有
Rise of the Golden Stool: A Short History of the Asante Empire
"Hey guys, welcome to my channel! Today I'm excited to take you on a thrilling adventure through history, as we'll embarking on a journey through the golden heart of a fascinating kingdom that has been waiting to be discovered. I guarantee you, this will be one interesting ride So, buckle up, grab a snack, and let's go!
"Nestled deep in the heart of the Akan forest, away from the glittering shores of the 'Gold Coast', lay the kingdom of Kumase, for centuries, it toiled under the yoke of the Denkyira kingdom. But in 1701, a turning point came. A battle was fought. The Battle of Fayiase. And with a decisive and triumphant victory, Kumase claimed its rightful place as an independent kingdom.
The Kingdom of Denkyria was the most powerful among the Twi-Akan-speaking people, who engaged in profitable trade with the Dutch stationed at Elmina and of course, rolling up ever where they aren't invited, British on the cape coast. At the height of his power, the king of Denkyria, Boamponsem was so wealthy, that he’s credited as the first Akan ruler to employ an accountant to keep track of estate.
Denkyria ensured the smooth flow of goods with its trading partners throughout the Akan region, enabling the free trade of its wares, To ensure this free trade, the Denkyria kingdom heavily policed its trade route, an endeavour that was quite expensive, to offset this cost, the kingdom demanded exorbitant tributes and taxes from its citizens and conquered territories. These made the Kingdom of Denkyria a force to be reckoned with, but at what cost?
By 1694 Ntim Gyakari was sworn onto the stool, after 40 years of Boamponsem's reign. Ntim Gyakari was a reckless and impulsive leader who made the fatal mistake of increasing the already excessive tributes. The tributary kingdoms refused and banded together against the Denkyira. Osie Tutu of Kumase led this alliance. The Denkyira army was defeated in the brutal and bloody battle at Feyiase in 1703. The kingdom of Kumase pillaged the capital of Denkyria and in the years to come, Kumase crushed the last resistance of Denkyira, establishing control over the Ofin–Oda basin. This was the birth of the Asante empire
The Asante empire flourished with unparalleled might and wealth, thanks to the staggering amounts of gold it extracted from the Ofin-Oda River. This golden abundance not only made Asante rich but also empowered them to purchase guns from the Dutch. This gave them an advantage as they became a formidable force, easily dominating other Akan-speaking kingdoms and solidifying their reign as a true empire.
In terms of wealth and prosperity. Its riches were unparalleled, even when compared to the legendary empire of Ghana, also known as the "land of gold", while the empire of Ghana empire may have earned its title, it paled in comparison to the Asante's abundance. The sheer magnitude of the Asante kingdom's wealth is staggering. To put it into perspective, their output of gold alone was estimated to be a staggering 7,000 tons by the early 1900s. That's equivalent to 455 billion US dollars in today's currency. It's hard to imagine just how much gold was flowing through this kingdom at its peak.
The extraction of this gold was a gruelling task, carried out by enslaved individuals who toiled tirelessly. The gold was stored in the form of gold dust, which, along with cowry shells, was used as the primary currency in the region. The process of evaluating and manipulating the gold was a complex and highly specialized task, requiring the expertise of 100 skilled craftsmen in Kumase. These specialists were the backbone of the industry, transforming heavy gold ingots into the finest gold dust, and vice versa, with a precision that was unmatched.
The Asante Empire was a theocratic state that boasted an impressive bureaucracy, which was responsible for all aspects of state affairs, from it’s Foreign Office was a crucial component, managing trade and treaties, with each relationship managed by a separate department within the Foreign Office, showcasing the empire's dedication to efficiency and organization. The Treasury office was another key player, with its vast gold reserves playing a significant role in maintaining the empire's power and prosperity. At the helm of this dynamic system was the Gyaasehene who lead the civil service.
The Sika Dwa Kofi was the ultimate symbol of power, held in high reverence among the people of the Asante kingdom. This golden stool said to contain the soul of every Asante citizen, is the throne of the Asantehene, the emperor of the Asante empire. According to legend, the stool descended from the heavens and landed on the lap of Osie Tutu, the first Asantehene, and has remained a coveted symbol of leadership ever since.
The emperor of the Asante empire called the Asantehene was the most powerful person in the empire, he was the head of state, Commander-in-Chief of the army, and the highest court judge.
The Ohenemaa, also known as the Queen Mother, plays a very pivotal figure in the Asante Empire. In addition to her judicial and legislative role and also being a member of the war council, She had the responsibility of handpicking and nominating candidates to be the next emperor from the royal family. Her selections had to be approved by the council of district chiefs, and then faced an election. If elected, the new emperor was responsible for upholding Asante law, which primarily consisted of religious tenets and the protection of the nation. However, if the Asantehene broke any of his oaths, he could be impeached through a process called destoolment.This involved removing his sandals and knocking him down three times, stripping him of his authority and r symbols of office.
The Asantehene shared power with the Asantemanhyiamu, a national assembly of senior chiefs and rulers who met annually to resolve disputes and make decisions for the state. The Asantehene was also advised by the Ashanti Kotoko, a council of eighteen wealthy nobles who served both judicial and legislative functions.
The Asante Empire was built on the foundation of the family unit. At its core, each family was comprised of relatives tracing back to a common female ancestor, led by the Odikio who was elected through a democratic process. This was a recurring pattern throughout the empire's hierarchy, with families joining forces to form a village, villages coming together to create a district (town) ruled by the Ohene, and multiple districts then combining to form a kingdom overseen by the Amahene. Finally, all the kingdoms were united under the rule of the Asantehene to create the mighty Asante Empire. The system of elected leaders and the bond of family ties played a crucial role in shaping this empire.
Kumasi was the bustling ever busy capital city of the Asante empire, home to politics and ceremonies. Uniformed police maned and regulate who enters the city, while the secret police force, the Ankobia, acted as special forces, who protected the interests of the Asantehene, gathering intelligence, and suppressing any rebellions. This powerful combination allowed the Ashanti Empire to maintain its dominance through the 19th into the 20th century.
From kumase, the Asante government received tributes from over 40 other kingdoms. These kingdoms paid tributes in the form of slaves, cattle, gold, or skilled labour, the amount of tribute was subject to change, and a special court handle any disputes that may arise. The emperor usually sent gifts to Amanhenes to offset their tributes. And Yes, The Dutch and British also had to pay rent to Kumase.
Society and social status was based on wealth and family ties. The royalty and noble class were at the top, followed by the affluent Sikapo upper class. The lower class who were free but poor. Enslaved individuals were at the bottom, and were faced with manual labour, conscripted military service and human sacrifice. Although the treatment of slaves was often decent, they could escape harsh treatment by their master, if they swore an oath to serve another master or sought refuge at a temple. Some slaves were sold into indentured servitude as collateral for loans but were eventually freed once the debt was paid. Despite the divisions in society, it was forbidden by law to discuss another's social background, allowing even Akan-speaking slaves to become valuable members, of Asante families.
A few individuals, both men and women, achieved great wealth through their business ventures and were recognized by the king as part of a noble class, which was represented by the privilege of being escorted by a group of boys of noble birth. These boys carried elephants' tails as symbols of their nobility.
To maintain the monarchy's power, laws were put in place to prevent the growth of a strong merchant class that might pose a threat. The Treasury Department dispatched hundreds of tax collectors to enforce a stringent inheritance tax. Upon the death of a wealthy individual, only a small portion of their wealth was passed on to their heir, while the majority was seized and became part of the royal estate.
The Asante empire maintained its domination of the Akan region through military force. As I alluded to earlier, it was one of the most powerful armies at the time, with a potential strength of 200,000 thousand men, the power of the army was not solely due to the use of guns at the time but primarily due to the level of organisation the army had, which was unparalleled to any of its neighbouring states, although this empire was built through war, it was maintained through peace.
To facilitate trade, the Asante built and maintained roads and deployed, a network of police to ensure peaceful and unhinged movement of goods and people
Life in the countryside of the Asante Empire was a contrast to the energy of Kumase. Most villages were composed of small families, who earned their livelihood through agriculture. These villages often had only one main street, which served as a gathering place for the community.
In the shade of large trees, villagers would spend their days strolling along the street, socializing and enjoying leisurely activities. While there were specialized settlements for artisans, religious leaders, and goldsmiths, for most villagers, life was peaceful and predictable.
Well, this is where we are going to stop as we are just looking at a brief overview of the Asante empire. With its rich and complex history, there's much more to learn. If you enjoyed this video, I have good news for you. This video is just one of several videos that were uploaded at the same as part of the Untold black history series, that’s why the cool intro was there, I know you will enjoy them too, so please check them out. If you have any questions that you would like answered, leave a comment below. Be sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell so that you don't miss any future videos. Thank you for watching, and we'll see you at the next one. Bye.
