Queen pokou
Resistance - the peacemaker
Dr Silvie Memel Kassi, Director of the National Museum of Civilizations of Côte d'Ivoire, on the occasion of the premiere presentation of the title "Queen Pokou Song" at the Museum of Civilizations in Abidjan in November 2018:
"Queen Abla Pokou is the one who favoured the migration in Côte d'Ivoire of the Akan people from neighbouring Ghana. Her high sense of sacrifice and extraordinary leadership makes her one of the most important female figures in West Africa. Thus, like all those who would have marked the history of our society, this 18th century heroine also ensures the sustainability of a civilization that deserves to be preserved".
Queen Pokou, or Awura, Aura, or Abla Pokou (c. 1730–1750) was Queen and founder of the Baoule tribe in West Africa, now Ivory Coast. She ruled over a branch of the powerful Ashanti Empire as it expanded westward. A subgroup of the Akan people, the Baoule people are today one of the largest ethnic groups in modern Ivory Coast.
In the 18th century, Pokou, niece of Osei Tutu, leaves the Ashanti kingdom after the war of succession between her own brother Dakon, nephew of the deceased king and his brother Opoku Ware. Beyond the Komoe river, far from the spirit of conquest and war, she sets up a series of alliances with the tribes found on the spot.
A policy of peace which will come to an end with her death about five years after her arrival on the territory of what was going to become Côte d’Ivoire.
Film: video Christina Goh
Music: Catherine Capozzi and Christina Goh
Lyrics: Christina Goh
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OoA2mBQ2DA
"Queen Abla Pokou is the one who favoured the migration in Côte d'Ivoire of the Akan people from neighbouring Ghana. Her high sense of sacrifice and extraordinary leadership makes her one of the most important female figures in West Africa. Thus, like all those who would have marked the history of our society, this 18th century heroine also ensures the sustainability of a civilization that deserves to be preserved".
Queen Pokou, or Awura, Aura, or Abla Pokou (c. 1730–1750) was Queen and founder of the Baoule tribe in West Africa, now Ivory Coast. She ruled over a branch of the powerful Ashanti Empire as it expanded westward. A subgroup of the Akan people, the Baoule people are today one of the largest ethnic groups in modern Ivory Coast.
In the 18th century, Pokou, niece of Osei Tutu, leaves the Ashanti kingdom after the war of succession between her own brother Dakon, nephew of the deceased king and his brother Opoku Ware. Beyond the Komoe river, far from the spirit of conquest and war, she sets up a series of alliances with the tribes found on the spot.
A policy of peace which will come to an end with her death about five years after her arrival on the territory of what was going to become Côte d’Ivoire.
Film: video Christina Goh
Music: Catherine Capozzi and Christina Goh
Lyrics: Christina Goh
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OoA2mBQ2DA