NANA DIKO PIM

A Sacrifice for a new nation

Nana Diko Pim was Ejisuhene. Nana Diko Pim was a dedicated stetesman. The symbolic quality of the Asona Clan is statesmanship and patriotism and this was portrayed by Asona women through history. The Asona Clan is among the few families where the women were given the privilege to rule as Kings or Chiefs three examples could be given here. Nana Abena Boaa who ruled Offinso (1610-1640), Nana Afia Dokuaa who ruled Akyem Abuakwa (1817-1835), and Nana Yaa Asantewaa who ruled Ejisu (1896-1900). It was during the war against Demkyira that Nana Diko Pim showed his statesmanship and patriotism by sacrificing himself for Asanteman victory with four other chiefs.

A Royal Sacrifice 

It was during consultation with with Okomfo Anokye about the war when he assured them that they would be victorious provided some men would give themselves up for sacrifices. Three men would be needed for the sacrifices. One would be buried alive. His hands would appear at the surface of the earth and two brass pans full of war medicine mixed in water would be put in the two palms for the warriors to bath before they left for the war front. The second volunteer would be butchered to death and his flesh thrown away for vultures to take to Denkyira land. Wherever any piece of the flesh would fall the men of the place would lose their bravery and become cowards. The third volunteer should be a paramount chief. He would be armed and he would be in front of the marching soldiers. He was not a to fire a shot even if he met an enemy. He should look on for the enemy to shoot him.
It was only when he fell that the Asante Nation would be victorious. If he did not conform to that and he shot a gun that would be the doom of the Asante Nation.

Those who volunteered were:

i. Nana Asenso Kofo, chief of Adwumkasekese. He was buried alive.
ii. Nana Dikopim I, chief of Ejisu, gave himself up to be butchered to death.
iii. Nana Tweneboa Kodua, Paramount of Kumawu, also gave himself up. He led the marching soldiers. Though he was armed, he was forbidden to shoot: therefore he was killed. After all the purifications and the necessary preparations, Nana Osei Tutu prepared to lead the Nation as War General.
Okomfo Anokye asked Nana Osei Tutu to stay at home and ask another to lead. His explanation was that though Asante Nation would win the war, whoever led as the War General would not live beyond seven days after the war.
iv. Nana Boahen Anantuo chief of Mampong, volunteered to lead the soldiers to the war.
He, however, asked that since he was taking the place of Asantehene as War General, his stool should be next to that of Asantehene. Asantehene was occupying the Golden Stool therefore his state should occupy a Silver Stool. This was granted.
Like Boahen Anantuo, the first three volunteers also made requests.
Asenso Kofo requested that his after death, nobody from his town, Adwumakasekese, should ever be killed or sacrificed in any form.

Dikopim, the chief of Edweso, also requested that nobody from his clan, Asona, should be sacrificed in any form.

Nana Tweneboa Kodua also requested that nobody from his state should ever be sacrificed in any form.
Again, whenever a drummer from any of the Asante states started drumming on Atumpan drums, his appellation should be sounded to remind future generations that they too should sacrifice themselves for the Asante Nation.
When all was set, the chiefs swore to Nana Osei Tutu that they would forever push forward, never would they retreat.
The advance guard was led by Tweneboa Kodua while Boahen Anantuo led them as War General. Okomfo Anokye himself was at the war front and provided the magical antidotes. The battle was fierce but with determination, the Asante Nation was victorious.

It is only the Omanhene of Ejisu who does not make an appointment with Asantehene through a linguist but rather through the Nsumakwaahene? It is part of the privileges Nana Diko Pim l was made to enjoy after his sacrifice during the Denkyira War.

Nana Diko Pim was one of the few Asante Chiefs that plan the Denkyira War.
Below are a list of the Chiefs:
Nana Osei Tutu I – king of Asante
Nana Tweneboa Kodua – chief of Kumawu
Nana Boahen Anantuo – Chief of Mampong
Nana Adaakwaa Yiadom – Chief of Dwaben
Nana Onompau – Chief of Asumegya
Nana Kofi Dwaa Ayeboafo – Chief of Bekwai
Nana Agyeman Ampomfi – Chief of Kokofu
Nana Oduro Panin – Chief of Nsuta
Nana Wiafe Akenten – Chief of Offinso
Nana Dikopim – Chief of Ejisuhene