Philosophical and aesthetic significance of theSilver-Stool of Asante-Mampong.
Loading...
Date
December, 2010.
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Stools are the most important regalia in the palaces of Asante’s chiefs. The stools are paraded during formal occasions like Adae or installation of a new chief. These stools do not only denote the social status of its owner, but rather a measure of wealth and the attestation of its history. However, the history and the significance value behind the silver-stool of Asante-Mampong are not known to many people of Mampong in particular and Asante in general. In order to achieve the set objectives for the research work, the researcher employed the qualitative and descriptive methods. Interview and observation were used as the primary sources of data whilst articles, books served as the secondary data sources. The secondary data were collected from libraries and internet sites. To ensure the credibility of information collected, the researcher selected some chiefs from Asante-Mampong and elders from Manhyia Palace, Kumasi. The chief of Asante-Mampong is the first born of the state, the leader and an occupant of a state Silver-Stool. The chief of Mampong state is both a religious and political head. His authority is ultimately derived from the very people he rules. His actions and inactions must follow customs, traditions and usage. The silver-stool is believed to be of an ancestral origin. The significance of the history of Mampong and the silver-stool has contributions to the development of education in Ghana. The values may centre on moral, political, religious, aesthetics, educational and others which will encourage certain positive practices. Myths and legends associated with chieftaincy should be demystified as it has rich information the history and status of a stool. Values inherent in the chieftaincy institution can be integrated into curriculum of formal education. Chiefs and elders in palaces must be well educated on the stools they serve. The institution of chieftaincy has educational implications and therefore information on them should not be exclusive to prevent researchers from getting access to them. There should be a database for traditional state institutions so that people can easily access them through the internet. The accessibility of the traditional institution will help the public to understand and appreciate culture as a basis of our society.
Description
A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree Of Master of Arts in Art Education on