Why were people from Niger   at Manhyia ? 

Chief Malik Oussouman; the  chief of the Touareg People of Kel Temet, in the region of Tchintabaraden, in northern Niger is a good friend of the Asantehene. 

Touaregs are members of the nomadic people of the Central and Western Sahara and along the middle Niger from  Timbuktu  to Nigeria.

They have a large population in Ghana, especially Kumasi where they trade in onions and cattle. 

They are also into the Farming of Onions in Asante Akyem Agogo, contributing to the recent substantial increase in the production of Onions locally ; which Saw Ghana exporting onions for the first time in 2023 to neighboring Countries. 

Asanteman's relationship with the Touaregs dates back to the Eighteenth century when Islam was introduced into the Asante Kingdom.  Islamic presence in the Asante Kingdom took two major forms, beginning with the early waves of Dyula or Wangara, Berber and Touareg through the  trans Saharan trade, that ran  through the awe-inspiring city of Timbuktu to Northen Ghana and finally Asante . 

During the reign of Asantehene Osei Kwadwo Kwoawia (1764–1777), also referred to as the ‘lion of the Savannah’ the Ashanti witnessed the first Muslim travellers to the Kings Palace. He is reported to be the principal Ashanti King to have associated with Muslims. 

During the height of the Asante empire, roughly in the 1700s, Touaregs  moved southward along the black Volta to  north west of Ashanti in the Brong Ahafo region to trade in salt, beads, clothes, brassware, and much more. Meanwhile, gold and highly valued red kola-nuts passed northward through Nkoranza to Begho from the forest kingdom of Ashanti. 

Ladies and Gentlemen: Asante has History and we need to  learn why many different Tribes call Asante Home. 

Touaregs have been part of Asanteman since the 1700s . We are proud of our Touareg Siblings . 

They brought Gifts to the King including Camels .  

  credit:meyeasanteni 

Manhyia Palace/  Rtv GH