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.
History
The original country of these people is in Ghana, where the conflicts between Opoku Ware I of Ashanti and the Anyi made them migrate to Ivory Coast. Amalaman Anoh, first king of the Kingdom of Sanwi, led the anyi to settle in Diby in the region of Aboisso. A leadership war then arose between the agui and the waters, the first occupants of the place. After his victory, the anyi settled in the region of 'Ciman', a valley crowned by hills. So that in time of war, the enemy cannot reach the place. Aim always in search of new lands, Aka Essoin, the henchman of the remarkable and powerful King Amalaman Anoh, responsible for the expansion of the kingdom, hand in the conquest of new lands more suitable. Krindjabo, the capital of the Sanwi kingdom is well founded, before the arrival of the white man. Côte d'Ivoire: Sanui Aboisso is the birthplace of the oldest and most powerful kingdom in the history of Côte d'Ivoire. In the early 19th century, Sanwi was a vassal to the Ashanti Empire until this status was destroyed as a result of French colonial expansion in the region. The first task Nationwide agui Involves 2 voyage (Mission Treich Laplène (1887-1889) resulted in Thurs Treaties with Sanwi to Krindjabo (Aboisso) with Bettie and Indenie (Abengourou). In the North, treaties were signed with Bonducu of the Empire of Congue and Dabacala de Louis-Gustave Binger in 1889.
Kings and Chiefs
Zena: Reigned around 1687 and made contact with the Guinea Company.
Akasini: Successor of Zena, reigns around 1700, during the return of Louis Aniaba to Assinie.
Amalaman Anoh: After the foundation of Krindjabo, Amalaman Anoh ruled the throne for a long time. He died on the throne. After him, Amondouffou Kpangni (the great) replaced him. Then he died too, giving way to Amondouffou Koutoua (the child) or Amondouffou II. In the constitution of the Sanwi kingdom, the king reigns for life. But in case of mismanagement, he can be dismissed.
Amon N'Douffou II: It was during the reign of Amondouffou that the first Europeans arrived in Ivory Coast. He is the first king to sign a treaty with them and established the current organization of the Sanwi Kingdom. Under his reign, Queen Mother Malan Alloua refused to allow whites to settle in Krindjabo. Because she found them pale and couldn't live with them. She showed them a place full of stones, Ebouesso (in stone), a name that after being corrupted resulted in the current city of Aboisso.
Kodja Assi Reis, Kodjo Adou, Amon Koutoua and Koua Malan: Kodja Assi was the first of the deposed kings of the Sanwi Kingdom. He was dismissed for mismanagement. His successor, Kodjo Adou, ruled for six years, before experiencing the same fate as his predecessor. During the reign of King Amon Koutoua, there was also a problem of mismanagement forcing the king to abdicate. After the office had been vacant for ten years, in fact, the one who had been chosen had not been accepted by the people. He was the son of the former and as he was literate he was responsible before his father's removal to interpret messages from whites to kings. But, not being fluent in the French language, he did not faithfully translate the messages. This earned him a categorical refusal to the throne, which he was promoted to. After these 10 years of emptiness, Koua Malan ascended the throne. He reigned for seven years, before being dismissed for mismanagement.
Amon N'Douffou III: After the series of deposed kings, Kakou Andoh came to the throne. He took the regnal name of Amondouffou III. He was considered a very good king, he reigned for a long time. According to various testimonies, he had the longest reign in the history of the Sanwi Kingdom.