Okomfo Anokye was the first priest (okomfo) of the Ashanti Empire Anokye is known for his participation in the expansion of the empire. He was also the codifier of the constitution and laws of the Ashanti Empire.
Origins and early life
Okomfo Anokye was born in Ghana around 1655. According to Akuapem tradition, he was son of Ano and Yaa Anubea, both from Awukugua in the Nifa Division of the Okere state. His name originated from the following incident:
It is said that when Okomfo Anokye was born in Awukugua he was already holding in his right hand a short white tail of a cow (Podua); and he had so firmly clenched the fist of the other hand that no one could open it. The woman who went to deliver the labouring mother tried to open it because she suspected there was something in it. The father was called in to assist… Okomfo Anokye opened his eyes and, staring at the father, quickly opened the mysterious hand, showing it to the father and saying “Ano….Kye” (Guan language) meaning “Ano…see” and gave to the father what was in it. It is alleged that it was a talisman. From this incident Kwame Agyei got his name “Anokye”. Okomfo Anokye, his original name Kwame Anokye Frimpon Kotobre- — Amos Anti, “Akwamu, Denkyira, Akuapem, and Ashanti in the Lives of Osei Tutu and Okomfo Anokye” (1971)
History has it that when Osei Tutu I succeeded to the throne of the Kumaseman state, Okomfo Anokye was his adviser and chief priest. Tutu and Anokye, who must be considered together, carried out the expansion policy of their predecessors, defeating two powerful enemies, the Akan Domaa to the northwest and the Denkyera empire to the south. Okomfo Anokye was essentially a cleric who served to rally the people to the cause of his friend the king. Anokye is also said to have placed a dagger in the middle of the Ashanti region, which the Europeans have not been able to take out with any type of technology for over 500 years
According to legend, a kola tree in Feyiase grew from a seed spat by Anokye, at the site of the Battle of Feyiase against the Denkyira. The tree became locally popular and was believed to have healing powers and was a tourist attraction.
Death
History has it that after Osei Tutu’s death in 1717, Anokye is said to have returned to Akuapim and died at a town called Kyirapatre in Kumase between 1717 and 1719 (aged between 62 and 64). The real cause of his death is not known and it is said that he was going to bring back the key to death – and so no one should cry; if anyone is heard crying he will never return. After a couple of days he still was not back and so the women cried, and he never returned. Credits: wikipedia.org/wiki/Okomfo_Anokye