Kingdom of Sanwi
Kingdom of Sanwi | |
|---|---|
| c.1740–1959 | |
 Flag | |
| Status | Traditional kingdom |
| Capital | Krinjabo |
| Common languages | Anyi language |
| Government | Monarchy |
| Historical era | 18th-20th Centuries |
• Established | Sanwi state founded by Agni from Ghana c.1740 |
• Kingdom abolished upon creation of Republic of Ivory Coast | 1959 |
Kingdom of Sanwi is a traditional kingdom located in the south-east corner of the Republic of Ivory Coast in west Africa. It was established in about 1740 by Anyi migrants from Ghana. In 1843 the kingdom became a protectorate of France. In 1959 it was merged with Ivory Coast and at that time the tribal population was estimated to be around 40,000 people in 119 settlements.[1]
History
20th century
In the run up to independence for Ivory Coast the traditional administration in Sanwi attempted to organise a political movement to ensure their continued autonomy and traditional structures called Liste pour la Défense des Intérêt du Pays Sanwi'. This political party had limited success in the 1956-7 election year. After this the traditional elite sent representatives to Paris in an attempt to negotiate with the colonial master formal autonomy for Sanwi within Ivory Coast after independence. They cited the treaty of protectorate between France and the Sanwi of 1843. However, they did not receive support for their cause and later (in 1959) the traditional kingdom was formally abolished.
This was not accepted and shortly afterwards the kingdom declared its independence. In 1960 a "government in exile" was established in the neighbouring Republic of Ghana that received material support and encouragement from the government of Kwame Nkrumah.[2] [3]
After this Affaire Sanwe several hundred activists were arrested and put on trial, found guilty and subsequently released. Further declarations of independence were made in 1961 and 1969 with the royal family and entourage remaining in exile in Ghana, only returning home in 1981.[4]
Rulers
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The kingdom received much attention after declaring Michael Jackson to be a "PRINCE" of the Sanwi in 1993. Reciprocal visits by Michael Jackson and Amon N'Douffou IV were made to Krinjabo and Los Angeles respectively. After Michael Jackson's death in 2009 (in the aftermath an elaborate two day funeral was held) Jesse Jackson was declared PRINCE in August of that year when he was crowned Prince Nana by Amon N'Douffou V, King of Krindjabo.
Royal Ivory Coast funeral for tribe ‘prince’ Michael Jackson
Submitted by CheetahBlogger on August 28, 2009 – 10:25 pm2 Comments.
PD*30411152
Villagers deep in the Ivory Coast rainforest have launched a search for a successor to Michael Jackson who was crowned prince of the Agni people 17 years ago.
The tribe held an extravagent royal funeral for Mr Jackson over two days. Traditional dancers and lookalikes of the dead singer paraded before King Amon N’Douff V and 2,000 people.
Tribal chiefs appealed to the US embassy to press Mr Jackson’s family to bring his body to the west African country for a burial in accordance with local tradition of the Sanwi kingdom.
The request was turned down.
Mr Jackson toured the village of Krindjabo in 1992, where chiefs reportedly revealed that DNA tests and mystic messages confirmed that the singer was descended from the royal Sanwi line.
He was declared a prince with the royal title of Prince Michael Jackson Amalaman Anoh. 12.40.50.3 (talk) 16:49, 28 March 2013 (UTC)
External links
- [5] Vanity Fair on Jesse Jackson's Coronation