akrafena
Sign in to saveAlso known as Akofena
An afena (Twi to mean sword) is an Akan sword, originally meant for warfare but also forming part of Akan heraldry. The foremost example of an afena is the Mponponsuo (meaning "responsibility"), which belonged to Opoku Ware II. It has survived to the present day because it is still occasionally used in ceremonies, such as the Akwasidae Festival.
Wikidata facts
- Image
- State Gifts Presentation Sword.JPG
Show 1 more fact
- Commons category
- Afena
via Wikidata · CC0
~41 min read
Article
17 sectionsContents
- Design
- Types
- Afena as weapons
- History
- Bonoman Kingdom (10th century AD) and the Ashanti Empire States (13th century AD to 21st century)
- Ashanti swords of war (twenty-first century): changing needs and tactics
- Swordsmen ranks
- Other swordmen/guard ranks
- Executions
- Afena as an Ashanti national symbol
- Heraldic description
- History
- Akrafena as martial art
- Gallery
- See also
- References
- External links
An afena (Twi to mean sword) is an Akan sword, originally meant for warfare but also forming part of Akan heraldry. The foremost example of an afena is the Mponponsuo (meaning "responsibility"), which belonged to Opoku Ware II. It has survived to the present day because it is still occasionally used in ceremonies, such as the Akwasidae Festival.
The expert use of afena is also a martial art, utilising the blade in conjunction with knives, improvised weapons, street-fighting, hand-to-hand combat, joint locks, grappling and weapon disarming techniques, as well as using the martial art of afena unarmed. The afena martial art is the national sport of the Ashanti Region.