The Ashanti, also known as Asante, are a major ethnic group and one of the largest Akan peoples in Ghana. Historically, they built a powerful empire in West Africa, known for its sophisticated political organization, rich culture expressed in art, music, and crafts like kente cloth weaving, and its fierce military prowess. The Ashanti Empire, centralized around Kumasi, played a significant role in the gold and slave trades and resisted British colonial rule for many years. Today, the Ashanti maintain a strong sense of identity and tradition, with their Asantehene (king) still holding considerable influence in Ghanaian society.
