Opoku Ware I

Akan · mortal · asante imperial · mortal

Second Asantehene; nephew (sister-son) and matrilineal-uncle-successor of Osei Tutu I. Born c. 1700 CE to Nyaako Kusiaa (sister of Osei Tutu I) and an unnamed father; acceded in 1720 CE after the three-year regency-and-civil-war period following Osei Tutu I's death. Conducted the great imperial expansion of the Asante Empire (1720s-1750), defeating Akyem (1742, avenging Osei Tutu's death), Akwamu, Akwapim, Aowin, Wassa, Sefwi, Tekyiman, and Bono — establishing Asante territorial dominance over most of modern southern Ghana and parts of Côte d'Ivoire. Earned the praise-name Katakyie ("the Brave"). Institutionally elaborated the Asante imperial structure: established the formal kingdom-tributary-vassal hierarchy, the imperial-state goldweighting and goldweight-currency standards, and the elaborated military-state organization centered on the imperial Mponponsuo regiment. His mother Nyaako Kusiaa (sister of Osei Tutu I) is now materialized as a linked figure; the maternal-uncle relation to Osei Tutu I follows from their shared matriline through Manu Kotosi. Died 1750 CE.

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