I have been enjoying his lectures as a history buff and this is one of his best; most accurate. The Anum people that accompanied Osei Tutu, as directed by the Akwamuhene, were 300 warriors under Anum Asamoah. These were placed under the Asafohene, the chief warrior of Kwaman (Kumasi) and also became the Abrafo (police force). These Anum warriors, being foreigners, owed allegiance to the king, just like Amankwatia, the future field commander, who was also the King's friend from Denkyira. The Akwamus, having been in contact with the Danes, could use muskets, whereas the rest of the Akans were using swords, thus explaining why the sword is the symbol of authority in Ashanti. Indeed, the Ashanti project couldn't have survived without the support of Akwamu; Akwamu gave birth to Asante. As instructed by the founders, it's a taboo in Ashanti to expose the origins of another individual ( Asante Nkae, literally meaning, Asante doesn't remember). This sole and simple policy forged a common identity and absolute unity; a policy that differentiated Asante from Denkyira. Defeated states became part of the Kingdom with assigned responsibilities.
