Asantehene
/əˌsæn.tɪˈheɪ.ni/noun
The hereditary king or paramount ruler of the Asante people of Ghana.
Did you know?The Asantehene’s authority is traditionally linked to the Golden Stool, which is believed to contain the soul of the Asante nation rather than belonging personally to any ruler.
Etymological Timeline
Before the 17th Century
Akan
hene
“King, chief, or ruler; a traditional Akan political title.”
Late 17th Century
Twi
Asante
“The name of the Asante state and people, formed during the rise of the Asante kingdom.”
18th Century
Twi
Asantehene
“The king or supreme ruler of Asante; a compound of Asante and hene.”
19th Century
English
Ashanti king
“The English description used for the ruler of the Ashanti kingdom; Ashanti was an English spelling of Asante.”
20th Century
English
Asantehene
“The established English-language form of the traditional royal title.”
Modern English
English
Asantehene
“The hereditary king and ceremonial-spiritual head of the Asante people in Ghana.”