Dormaahene’s hatred towards Asanatehene is often viewed as nothing more than sheer elementary behaviour. Indeed, there is a long history of intra-Akan fighting in Ghana, specifically between the Asante and the Fante throughout the nineteenth century(Green, 2018). Thus, the intense perception of difference and historical enmity between various Akan subsets, especially between the Ashanti on one side and the Fante and Akyem on the other, makes it difficult to overlook the elementary nature of Dormaahene’s hatred towards Asanatehene.
This intense intra-Akan conflict, fueled by historical enmity and perceived differences, undermines the maturity and rationality expected of leaders.
The animosity between the Dormaahene and Asantehene dates back to the 19th century, when the two ethnic groups occupied distinct regions of Ghana. Historical accounts have raised some questions about the basis of their hatred, with some suggesting that it is due to a clash of personalities or a simple power struggle. However, the underlying reason for the enduring hatred between the Dormaahene and Asantehene is not just a mere clash of personalities or a rivalry for power, it is embedded in a deep-seated cultural tension between the two distinct ethnicities.
At the centre of this tension between the Dormaahene and Asantehene lies their varying cultural identities. Though both are Akan-speaking, their cultures have significant differences. The Asantehene culture is founded on the principles of hierarchical structure and autocratic rule, while the Dormaahene culture is rooted in an egalitarian approach based on collective decision-making. Not only do their respective beliefs in the way of leading differ, but their divergent interests and political convictions regarding the united kingdom of Ashanti (of which both of them are monarchs) also contribute to the animosity between the two.
Although historical accounts generally agree on the cultural tension between the two monarchs, some scholars have proposed a more intricate explanation for their hatred, and it goes beyond the surface-level differences. The animosity between the Dormaahene and Asantehene may be due to a clash of economic advantage and social power schemes. More specifically, the Asantehene’s control over large swathes of land gives him a considerable economic edge over the Dormaahene, while the latter’s egalitarian approach to politics puts him at a social disadvantage.
In addition to the economic competition and social power dynamics, the hatred between the Dormaahene and Asantehene may be further aggravated by the general animosity felt between the Ashanti people and the smaller Akan ethnicities on which the two rulers rely on. This is especially true since the Asantehene is the most powerful among the monarchs of the Ashanti Confederacy, whereas the Dormaahene is the most powerful ruler among the smaller Akan ethnicities. As such, the Asantehene has an inclination to treat the smaller Akan ethnicities with a sense of superiority, and vice versa.
To conclude, the animosity between the Dormaahene and Asantehene is greater than just a mere clash of personalities or power struggle. It is derived from a multitude of underlying tensions between their respective cultural identities. As well as the economic contest and social inequalities between the two sovereigns, this conflict is further aggravated by the general animosity between the Ashanti people and the smaller Akan ethnicities on which the two rulers rely on. Thus, it can be said that the Dormaahene’s hatred for Asantehene is a product of a deep-seated animosity embedded in history, rather than mere elementary behaviour.
Ashantibiz
