History

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE OSU PEOPLE

The OSU people were part of the greater ancestral clans that migrated from zmcient Israel through Egypt. Ethiopia, Sudan(Asene), Nigeria(ILELFE), Benin(Agoue, Kpedromede) and Togo (Aneho). They later crossed the Volta Lake where most of them diverted to different directions on the hills. ‘the Osu people settled near Akuse at a footprint of a mountain called Noi-Yoo (Noi mountain/hill). They called that settlement Noi We meaning Noi town after their leader. The name Osu emanating from Osudoku, came from the kyerepons who had arrived in the country earlier in the migratory period in N’Vestern Africa. Osu is the Adangme corrupted word of “MU” or “NTSU” in kyerepon for “Water”. Because these wanderers crossed over the Volta, they were called OSUFOO by the kverepons. It is interesting to note that, the names which emerged from the root of the name OSUFOO thenceforth — Osu-Wem, Osuyokpo, OSU-yoo, Osuko, Osu, Osudua, Osudoku, has made history.

In the course of time, due to a quarrel over the loss of a single precious bead out of many sets borrowed by a family for an Otofo custom, the family with their relatives abandoned their homes at Noi-Yoo (Noi mountain/hill) in Osudoku for the peace of the wilderness, as no reparation whatsoever were acceptable by the lenders.

The decision of the borrowers to move out was crucial, and even though the missing bead was found in the gizzard of a chicken prepared for food for the journey at the point of departure, and the full set of beads were returned intact but the crucial decision was not changed. After a war against the Shais, with the migratory blood of their ancestors running through their veins the OSUFOO left to Nyanao hills near Nsawam and soon their mountain homes were fading behind their backs. This occurred in the last quarter of the fifteenth century. There, the Akwamus gave them a separate site to build a town of their own which they named Ajanote which means “death has taken my first born or a plague”.

So journing at Ajamanti, near Aburi and the Ajanyorte hills, near Abokobi they reached a site between Kwabenyam, the present Atomic Research Station and Legon, which was named OSUKO (OSU FOREST).
Here they lived for some time before making for the coast by the Klote Lagoon. They named the site Osu. They reached this place to find it vacant, but the Nungua hunters reached it once a while and also come yearly to worship the lagoon god of Mote. Eventually, the Nunguas relegated the rites of the Klote lagoon to the Osu people, and later combined the rites of Nadu with that of Klote. From that time till date, the people of Nungua and Osu performs similar traditional rites be it installation of a Wulomo or Mantse.
Osu people were skilful potters goldsmith. They had a famous market at Osu where they traded their pots and ornaments to the people of Accra.

The people of Osu travelled with their fetish god called “Nadu” who was in the care of a Wul)m), their leader then. After two successors of N)te Doku, then Nadu Wul)m), one T3in) became Nadu Wul)m). He committed some offence and was no longer allowed to enter the shrine. However, he had already set up a Mantse stool on Akwaflfll lines, and he continued to hold this and to negotiate with the Europeans as the Osu Chief. Another Wulom3 was appointed and thence, the Wul)mo and Mantse were two people. About the same time those of Teino’s team who held him to be unfit as Mantse had set up a second stool, that is the Mankralo’s stool. They informed the Danes at the castle that the Mankralo was their representative in all negotiations. The Europeans refused to deal with the Mankral3 hence advised them to go and settle any differences among themselves. The Wul)m) then called the elders to a meeting to settle the issue and it was agreed that, the Mankarlo stool becomes the second in command of the Osu chieftaincy hierarchy. The two stools remained and the people that followed the Mantse stayed at Kinkawe and the Mankrab stool went to Ashinte Blohum quarter. So when the town-crier gives out notices in the community, he still does so in the name of both Mantse and Mankralo.

The institution of the Mankral) Stool was the idea of the people of Osu and he eventually became the second in command after the Mantse. The office went well with the people of Accra and thence the establishment of the Mankral) Stool in various Ga traditional setups.

The Osu Stool

The Osu Stool Is The Seat Of The Osu Mantse As Well As Official Residence and The Seat Of Government.

History

OSU STOOL SUCCESSION

In 1814, the Guata War was battled which Nii Noi Owuo I fought alongside with Nortei, his sisters son. In 1824, Nii Noi Owuo I was weak and unfit to lead his people to the Asamanka War. He then appointed his sisters son, Nortei to lead his people (Osu) on his behalf. Before they went to the war, Nii Noi Owuo I made a declaration that if Nortei was victorious in that war, he will take over the rulership of the Osu Stool after him and also the kingship will rotate between the House of Amantra and the House of Kinkawe which currently are Owuo We and Dowuona We respectively.
Nortei was successful from the war and in the same year, Nii Noi Owuo I, died. In 1825, Nortei was installed as the Osu Mantse by the stool name Nii Nortei Dowuona Osu Mantsc and went for the Katamanso War in 1826.

SUCCESSION OF OSU MANTSEMEI

I. Nil TEINO 1657 — 1693
2. NII NARKU EIDAM  1697 — 1715
3. NII NORTEI SA 1716 — 1730
4. NII NARKU 1732 — 1754
5. NII ODAM 1769 — 1784
6. NII NARKU II 1786 — 1797
7. NII NOI OWUO 1800 — 1824
8. NII NORTEI DOWUONA I 1825 — 1839
9. NII NORTEI ABABIO I 1842 — 1851
10. NII NOI DOWUONA II (FETREKE) 1851 — 1868
11. NII NARKU III 1870 — 1885
12. NII ALEMA 1887 — 1898
13. NII NORTEI ABABIO II 1900 — 1914
14. NII NORTEK’ DOWUONA III 1916 — 1929
15. NII NOI OWLTO II 1931 — 1949
16. NII NOI DOWUONA IV (NOI ROMAN) 1951 — 1963
17. NII NARTEH DOWUONA V 1963 —1969
18. NII NORTEI OWUO III (JONATHAN) 1970 — 1982
19. NII OKWEI KINKA DOWUONA VI 2007 –

EUROPEANS IN OSU

The connection of the Europeans being our colonial masters in the lives of the Osu people cannot be left out. The Basil missionaries’ came and were welcomed by the Osu community whiles preaching the gospel which spread quickly. It was after this period that the Portuguese came and built the Castle which was named as Christianhorg Castle. Most of them settled by marrying the Osu indigenes especially the Danes and Portuguese who were originally merchants. They gave birth and had families which resulted in many names from Osu Nvith its origin from these Europeans. Among them includes the Bergessens, Rcindorfs, Holmes, Ilesses, Lutterodts, Sonnes, Richters, Maims, Quists, Riemers, Hansens, Brocks, and so on.

BOUNDARIES OF OSU PARAMOUNT STOOL LANDS

Osu share boundary with the people of La on the eastern side of the Osu town with Obenesu river as the land mark near the La General hospital. It stretches from that point through the coastal area up till the Ododokwen river on the western side boarding with the people of Ga Mashie (Accra). From the boundary road, it follows through till Ayi Mensah on the footprint of the Akuapem mountains.

NIMA – ADENKREBI
MAAMOBI – KPONKPO
KOTOBABI – MAHANAI
DZORWULU – AFIAFIA
ABELEMKPE – AKOKOME
OKO – DSUABEN
KISSEMAN – KORMA
HAATSO – NFWENE
PAPAO – HEBRON
BOI – ONYAMIYEADOM
SESEMI – OKUSHIBRI

Start typing and press Enter to search

Shopping Cart