The Akan people are an ethnic group of West Africa. This group includes the Akuapem, the Ashanti, the Akyem, the Baule, the Brong, the Fante and the Nzema peoples of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. From the fifteenth century to nineteenth century, the Akan people dominated gold mining and gold trade in the region. They are known for their gold weights, which were made using the "lost wax" method of casting. Branches of the Akan include the Abron and the Afutu.

Some of their most important mythological stories are called Anansasem. Anansesem also could mean the traveler's tales. ("spider stories" also Nyankomsem "words of a sky god"). These stories generally, but not always, revolve around Kwaku Ananse, a trickster-spider spirit.

The highest god is Brekyirihunuade ("he who knows and sees everything").

See also

• Akan (language)
• Akan names
• Bono state
• Rulers of the Akan state of Akyem Abuakwa
• Adamorobe Sign Language

External links

• Akan gold trade

• Akan (Akuapem)
• Akan (Asante)
• Akan (Fante)
• The Dictionary of Standard Written Akan

Ethnic groups in Ghana

Akan | Akan | Akan | Akan | Akan (povo) | Akani