The Akan Law of Property.

THE AKAN LAW OF PROPERTY

being a Thesis submitted for

the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy

- by -

A. N. ALLOTT, M.A. (Oxon.)

University of London.

ProQuest N um ber: 11015685

All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS

The q u a lity of this re p ro d u c tio n is d e p e n d e n t u p o n the q u a lity of the c o p y s u b m itte d . In the unlikely e v e n t that the a u th o r did not send a c o m p le te m a n u s c rip t and there are missing p a g e s , these will be n o te d . Also, if m a te ria l had to be re m o v e d ,

a n o te will in d ic a te the d e le tio n .

uest

P roQ uest 11015685

Published by ProQuest LLC(2018). C o p y rig h t of the Dissertation is held by the A u tho r.

All rights reserved.

This work is p ro te c te d a g a in s t u n a u th o riz e d c o p y in g under Title 17, United States C o d e M icro fo rm Edition © ProQuest LLC.

ProQuest LLC.

789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346

Ann Arbor, Ml 4 8 1 0 6 - 1346

PRECIS.

1 1 The Akan Law of Property” endeavours to describe the present position of land-tenure in a homeonomic group of Gold Coast peoples. It attempts neither to expound the ancient customary lav/, nor to give a definitive restatement of the modern law - and that for a very good reason. The law of

the Gold Coast today is a law in transition, from an entirely unwritten body of rules fortified by long-established usage, but subject as customary lav/ so often is in its unwritten

stages to local exceptions and shifting emphases, and designed for the simple needs of a people without commerce or permanent

agriculture, to a twentieth-century legal system suitable for the requirements of a modern economy based on cash-crops and trade. The crystallization of valuable rights in land,

claimed concurrently by a hierarchy of holders from the para­

mount stool to the individual cultivator, is illustrative of this change in purpose.

The complex and fluid nature of land-rights in the South­

ern Gold Coast at the present time, due to this transition and the partial reception of English law, has for long led respon­

sible persons to call for a statement of the modern law, and at the same time has deterred anyone from making the attempt.

The existing authorities are brief or out-of-date. No-one would minimise the valuable contributions of Sarbah, Danquah

and Rattray to our knowledge of Akan law; but there has been up till now no book solely or even largely devoted to the Akan

law of property, nor one which has set out to synthesize the developing customary law with the many decisions of the super­

ior courts on that law. Nor has much attention been paid to the decisions of native courts, which often reflect changing attitudes in advance of official recognition.

"The Akan Law of Propertyt T is divided into three Parts:

Part I deals with the Persons of Akan Law - the Stool, the Family, and the Individual.

Part II covers the Institutions of Akan Law - sale, pledge, tenancy, gift, caretakership,

succession.

Part III deals with Miscellaneous Topics; the use of writing, the function of long possession, and

the application of registration to Akan tenure.

Part I: the land-rights of stools are set out, the vague term wstool land” is analysed into its component parts, the modern separation (formerly inconceivable) between the chief

and his stool is shown. The complicated and varied problems (both of fact and law in each particular case) whether a stool has rights of ownership, or only of jurisdiction, or both, are considered in a separate chapter. In the sphere of the family, the term family property" is also divided, so as to show the exact interrelation between a family and its members, and especially the weakening control now exercised by a family over its members. The rights of citizens and

"strangers’ (the latter of increasing importance today) are also examined.

Part II: dealings with rights in land are considered in the complexity induced by concurrent separation of interests, and the diversity of possible subject-matter. The more inter­

esting features here include:-

(1) the virtual disappearance of the ancient pledge;

(2) the growth of new forms of tenancy;

(3) the institution of " c are taker ship" ;

(4) developments in the customary law of testate and intestate succession, particularly through the demand that widows and children of males should be provided for.

Part III: the efforts of the superior courts to fill the gap caused by the absence of rules of prescription or limita­

tion in Akan law are examined; whilst the chapter on WRITING reveals the consequences of the not always happy marriage bet­

ween English and African law. In Chapter XIII present legis­

lation and experiments relevant to registration of title, and a tentative scheme for recording titles, are set out, with an eye to the future development of Gold Coast land-law, in which it is expected that registration will play a large part.

Apart from the mass of new material presented here, the method used in collecting this material is largely novel. The Akan law being mainly unwritten, reliance had to be placed on the personal receipt of oral information on the spot: the methoc thus differs widely from that customary in legal research (ex­

cept for the investigations into customary law in the Punjab

and Indonesia). In Africa up to now most of the collection of

information on customary laws has been made by anthropologists,

and not by lawyers. "The Akan Law of Property" thus represents

a new venture in the techniques of legal research.

i T A B L E O P C O N T E N T S

ABBREVIATIONS AND MODES OP CITATION TABLE OP STATUTES

TABLE OF CASES BIBLIOGRAPHY GLOSSARY

INTRODUCTION

page ix x-xii xiii-xxiv

xxv-xxvii xxviii-xxxiii

1-14

PART I. THE PERSONS OP AKAN LAW

CHAPTER I - THE STOOL AND PROPERTY .. 15-78

A. WHAT IS A STOOL? 15

B. THE STOOL AND PROPERTY .. .. 28 1. Unoccupied tribal lands . # 29

2. Occupied tribal lands 40

3. Stool Property in the narrow sense 47

4. Stool-Family Property 66

5# Chief's Private Property 70 6* Custody of Stool Property

during an interregnum *. 78

CHAPTER II - JURISDICTION AND OWNERSHIP . . 79-125

A. ANCIENT CUSTOM .. .. 81

B. MODERN CUSTOM .. .. 85

1. With whom is the ownership of the land, the Paramount Stool, or a

subordinate stool? .. 86

2. Which is the fundamental right,

jurisdiction or ownership? Ill 3. Stools and Native Authorities .. 114 4. Duties attributable to allegiance 115 5. Rights attributable to jurisdiction 116 6 # Rights attributable to ownership

of land ## 120

ii page CHAPTER III - THE INDIVIDUAL AND PROPERTY . 126-191

A. THE CITIZEN .. 126

RIGHTS OP CITIZENS:

1. Right to farm .. .. 134

2. Rights to house-plots and houses 149 3. Disposal of interests by citizens 156 LIABILITIES OP CITIZENS:

4. Special liabilities of citizens 157 B. COMMON RIGHTS

1* Rights in forests and forest-produce 160 2. Rights in water - rivers, streams, etc. 163 3. Rights of way, trespass •• 168

C. THE STRANGER .. .. 170

RIGHTS AND DUTIES OP STRANGERS:

1. Farming ♦. . • 174

2. Houses .. .. 188

3. Liability of strangers for levies, etc. 189 CHAPTER IV - THE FAMILY AND ITS POSITION IN THE

AKAN LAW OP PROPERTY .. 192-281 A. THE.FAMILY: ITS ORGANIZATION

1. Nature and basis of the family in.

Akan life . ♦ •. 192

2. The extent of the family .. 196 3. The organization of the family .. 196

B» FAMILY PROPERTY .. .. 211

1. Family property in the wide sense 213 2. Family property within sub-lineages 224 3. Inherited property .. .. 233 4. Self-made property on family land 241 5. Powers of the family over the self-

acquired property:

fa) of the head .. .. 242

(b) of a member .. .. 243

6. Liability of member for family debts 248

iii page C. THE USE OF FAMILY PROPERTY

1. Agriculture 2. Houses

9 0

0 0

9 0

0 0

250 256

PART II. THE INSTITUTIONS OF AKAN LAW

• •

• «

CHAPTER V - SALE

I. WHAT MAY BE SOLD:

A. ABSOLUTE INTEREST

1. Absolute interests in land

2. Absolute interests in things in or on land'

3. Absolute interest in movables B. LIMITED INTERESTS

LAND:

1. Sale of Interests limited by the nature of the subject-matter

2. Sale of rights limited in interest THINGS IN OR ON LAND:

MOVABLES:

II. WHO MAY SELL:

A. THE STOOL AS VENDOR

B. THE FAMILY AS VENDOR ..

C. THE INDIVIDUAL AS VENDOR

1. Self-acquired property ..

2. A farm or house made by an individual on family land ..

3. Inherited property

9 0

0 0

III. FORM OF SALE:

A. CONSENTS AND AUTHORIZATIONS 1. Consents

2. Authorizations

282-397

282 283 293 298 300

• •

0 0

301 305 310 311

313 317 323 324 326 328 330 333 313;

iv page B. NOTICE TO INTERESTED PARTIES

1* Notice within the family .. 340 2. Notice outside the family .. 341

C. THE PURCHASE-PRICE ... .. 344

D. EVIDENCE OP SALE ... .. 350

1. Witnesses .. ». 351

2. The role of tramma and guaha .. 353

3. Aseda .. .. 362

4. Writing .. .. 362

E. BOUNDARIES AND MEASUREMENTS .. 365 IV. THE EFFECTS OP A SALE:

A. THE FORMATION OF A CONTRACT OP SALE . 369 B. THE EFFECTS OF A VALID SALE

1. On the parties .. .. 373

2. On other persons interested in

the same subject-matter ♦. 374 C. EFFECTS OF THE PERSONALITY OF VENDOR

OR PURCHASER

1. Stool to stool .. 387

2. Stool to individual •• 389

3. Individual vendor .. 394

v CHAPTER VI - PLEDGE AND MORTGAGE .. 398-449 A. HISTORY OF SECURITY

1, Personal security .. .. 398

2, Real security .. .. 400

B. PLEDGE - ITS DEVELOPMENT .. 402 1. Distinction from mortgage .. 404

2. Forms of pledge .. .. 405

3. The terms of a pledge .. 407

4. Who may pledge .. .. 415

5. Memorandum of pledge .. 425

6. Effects of the pledge .. 427

V

page

c .

# ft

1 # Various forms of mortgage

• ft

• ft

D.

1. Pi.Pa.

ft •

2 0 The Moneylenders Ordinance

ft •

#

A. CUSTOMARY TENANCIES

1. Free tenancies and those with a

'

nominal rental

* *

2 # Tenancies for a definite term 00 468 3. Tenancy on the abusa system 0 0 471 4. Tenancy for a fixed rent 00 488

B.

1# Native tenancies and writing 00 494 2. Leases to non-natives 00 497

*

CHAPTER VIII - CARETAKERS 0 0 499-515

A. MEANING OF THE WORD n CARET AKERn 00 499 B* RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF CARETAKERS 00 505

CHAPTER IX - GIFT 00 516-549

A. TYPES OF GIFT 0 0 516

B. FORM OF GIFT 00 531

c .

D.

vi page

CHAPTER X - SUCCESSION ## 550-640

A # INTESTATE SUCCESSION . # ..

550

1. History .♦ •* 550

2* Nature and basis of intestate succession 552 3. The choice of the successor .. 569 4 # The successor: his duties .. 571 5# The successor: his rights and powers 578 6/ The family and succession .. 590 B. TESTATE SUCCESSION: BY CUSTOM: SAMANSEW. 599 1. The nature of samansew . * 601 2. To whom samansew may be made «« 604 3. Property which may be given 607 4. The form of the gift ♦ • 609

5. Effect of the gift 614

6. Some modern developments *. 618 C. TESTATE SUCCESSION: WRITTEN WILLS:

ENGLISH FORM.

1* Form ♦* .* 622

2 # Validity .. 623

3. Effects of a written will .. 626 4. Future policy in regard to wills

In the Gold Coast ♦. .. 628 D. SUCCESSION TO STRANGERS .. .. 629 E. THE MARRIAGE ORDINANCE AND SUCCESSION 632

PART III. MISCELLANEOUS AND CONCLUSIONS,

CHAPTER XI - WRITING 641-689

1. Prevalence of the use of writing »• 641 2* The sanctity attaching to written documents 643 3. The two types of document: memorandum

and instrument 646 4* Effect of writing on the jurisdiction of

the native courts 648 5* The effect of writing on the rights of the

parties 661

page CHAPTER XII - LONG POSSESSION OP LAND . ♦ 690-724 f

1* Long Possession as Evidence of Title 692

2. Prescription .. *. 704

3. Limitation .. 705

4. Estoppel t «• ♦ • 707

5. Laches . 710

6. Bona Fide Purchaser for Value without Notice 716 7. Squatters and Customary Law ** 722

CHAPTER XIII - REGISTRATION OF LAND # # 725-782 A. INTRODUCTORY

1. Registration of title and

registration of deeds .. 725

2 . .The need for registration , * 726 B. MAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION OF TITLE 728 C. PARTICULAR DIFFICULTIES IN THE GOLD COAST 732 D # PRESENT PROGRESS IN THE GOLD COAST

1. Official .. .. 741

2. Non-official .. .* 755

E. PLANS AND POLICY IN THE GOLD COAST

1. Where should registration begin? . 764 2. Method of registration .. 768

3. Settlement .. *♦ 774

CHAPTER XIV - CONCLUSIONS .. •• 783-801

1* The Elucidation of the Customary Law 783 2. Social Changes and their Effect in

Customary Law 787 3. Knowledge and Control of Customary Law 795

4. Gold Coast Law ## .. 796

.. 5;' The Future of. Akan Land-tenure .. 798

viii page APPENDIX - SOME RECENT LEGISLATION #. 802-807

1 # State Counoils (Ashanti) Ordinance» 1952 802 2. State Councils (Colony and Southern

Togoland) Ordinance. 1952 ♦. 803 3. Chattels Transfer Ordinance, 1952 .. 804

ABBREVIATIONS AMD MODES OF CITATION.

ix

(Note a : 1,

2

.

Danquah, C D. Cfc

hence D.Ct *26 - D.Ct '29 - D.Ct "31 - D.& F.'ll- Earn.

F.C.L.

P. Ct hence F.Ct ’20 - F.Ct '22 P.Ct f23 - P.Ct "26 - F.L.R.

I.A.

K-F.

N.L.R.

P.C.

hence P.O. App.

P.C. '74 - Red.

Ren.

W.A.C.A.

For abbreviations of the names of authors and their works, see BIBLIOGRAPHY.

The following table gives accepted abbreviations and modes of citation for West African reports. The reader should also refer to Brandford Griffiths9 Digest. (English reports are cited in the usual manner, hence they are not included here.)

.A.L. : Vide BIBLIOGRAPHY : Divisional Court(s).

*29 : Cases decided in the D. Ct of the Gold Coast between 1926 8c 1929.

'31 s - ditto - 1929 8c 1931.

'37 : - ditto - 1931 & 1937.

'16 : Cases decided in the Divisional & Pull Courts of the Gold Coast, 1911 - 1916.

: Earnshaw's Report.

: Cases reported in Sarbah's Panti Customary Laws (cf. BIBLIOGRAPHY).

: Pull Court.

*21 : Cases decided in the Pull Court of the Gold Coast 1920 - 1921.

: - ditto - 1922,

'25 : - ditto - 1923 - 1925.

'29 : - ditto - 1926 - 1929.

: Fanti Law Report (second selection): by Sarbah: printed with his Panti National Constitution (cf. BIBLIOGRAPHY).

: Indian Appeals.

: King-Far low's Report.

: Nigerian Law Reports.

: Privy Council.

: Privy Council Appeal.

'28 : Privy Council Judgments 1874 - 1928.

: Cases reported in Redwar's Comments (cf, BIBLIOGRAPHY).

: Renner’s Report.

: West African Court of Appeal Reports.

X

TABLE OP STATUTES

including Ordinances, Proclamations, Rules, Orders and Bye-laws.

(Note: Chapter references are to the 1936 Revision of the Laws of the Gold Coast.)

State of Akyem Abuakwa (Declaration of Native Customary

Law) Proclamation. 1952: No, 4 of 1952 : 99, 100, ±04, 108, 155, 158, 159, 309, 347, 34a State of Akyem Ahuakwa (Declaration of Native Customary

Law) Proclamation. 1945: Gazette Notice No. 769.

p. 377, 1943 : 597, 602, 603, 606, 609, 612, 615, 617.

Ashanti Confederacy Native Authority Sanitary Orders. 1944 : 155.

Boundaries Ascertainment Ordinance: cap. 118 : 735.

Boundary. Land, Tribute, and Fishery Disputes (Executive decisions Validation) Ordinance: cap. 120 : 7 4 3 V ”

Chattels Transfer Ordinance. 1952: No. 51 of 1952 : 449, 804 et seq.

Chattels Transfer (Amendment) Ordinance. 1953: No. 13 of 1953 : 806.

Concessions Ordinance. 1900 : 750.

Concessions Ordinance (Ashanti), 1905: 750.

Concessions Ordinance, 1939: No. 19 of 1939 : 39, 53, 98, 498, 684, 742, 750 et seq.

Concessions (Amendment) Ordinance. 1941: No. 9 of 1941 : 753.

Concessions (Amendment) Ordinance, 1942: No. 35 of 1942 : 754.

Control of Company Hunting (Confederacy Area)

Rules. 1956: Gazette Notice No. 672 of 1936 : 162.

Courts Ordinance: cap. 4 : 620, 621, 624, 653, 654, 673, 682.

Forests Ordinance: cap. 122 : 31, 746.

Infanta Relief Aot. 1874 (England) : 65,

Kumasi Lands Ordinance, 1945: No. 17 of 1943 : 496, 682, 747.

Kumasl Lands (Amendment) Ordinance. 1945: No. 14 of 1945 : 496.

Kumasl Town Boundaries Ordinance: cap. 119 : 748.

Land and Native Rights Ordinance: cap. 121 : 727.

Land Registry Ordinance: cap. 112 : 680, 741, 751.

Loans Recovery Ordinance: cap. 146 : 443, 449.

Local Government Ordinance, 1951: No. 29 of 1951 : 38, 39, 46, 55, 59 et seq., 110, 115, 291, 313, 338, 745, 788, 802, 804.

Marriage Ordinance: cap, 105 : 271-4, 606, 620, 632 et seq., 793.

Marriage (Amendment) Ordinance. 1950: No. 34 of 1950 : 634.

Marriage (Amendment) Ordinance, 1951: No. 13 of 1951 : 634.

Marriage of Mohammedans Ordinance: cap. lfc> : 598.

Moneylenders Ordinance, 1940: No. 21 of 1940 : 415, 443, 448.

Native Authority (Ashanti) Ordinance: cap. 79 : 745, 802.

Native Authority (Colony) Ordinance, 1944: No. 21 of 1944 : 57, 300, 312, 423, 446, 654, 745, 112, 785, 804.

Native Authority (Colony) (Amendment) Ordinance, 1947:

No. 13 of 1947 : 57, 312, 423, 446'.

Native Courts (Ashanti) Ordinance: cap. 80 : 649, 654, 689.

Native Courts (Ashanti) (Amendment) Ordinance, 1943:

N o . 1 5 of 1943 : 649.

Native Courts iColony) Ordinance. 1944: No. 22 of 1944 : 5, 654, Native Jurisdiction Ordinance, 1927 : 664.

Re-Affirmation of the Abolition of Slavery Ordinance, 1930 : 248, 566.

xii

Rent Control Ordinance, 1952: No. 2 of 1952 : 471.

Rents (Control) Ordinance. 1947: No. 30 of 1947 : 471.

Sale of Qoods Act. 1893 (England) : 345, 369, 800.

Slaves Emancipation Ordinance. 1874 : 210, 248, 402, 526, 566.

State Councils (Ashanti) Ordinance, 1952: No. 4 of 1952 : 423, 446, 802 et seq.

State Councils (Ashanti) (Amendment) Ordinance. 1952: No. 41

of 1952 : 803.

State Councils { Colony and Southern Togoland)

Ordinance. 1952"; No. 8 of 1952 : 423', 4¥6, 803 et seq.

Stool Lands Boundaries Settlement Ordinance, 1950:

No. 49 of 1950 : 79, 744, 764, 775.

Stool Property Protection Ordinance, 1940:

"No. 22 of 1940 s 51, 300, 312, 423, 446, 802, 803.

Supreme Court Ordinance. 1874: 681, 686.

Towns Ordinance: cap. 69 : 765, 775.

Wills Act. 1837 iEngland) : 621.

xiil

TABLE OF CASES,

(Notes: 1. For Mode of Citation see ABBREVIATIONS AND MODES OF CITATION.

2. Cases are in general entered under the last name of each party, in alphabetical order.1

Ababio v. Kanga : (1932) 1 W.A.C.A. 253 : 33 Abbah v. Smith : (1910) Earn. 21;

Ren. 573 : 222, 238 Aberewa v. Smith : (1947) Unreported:

Ahanta Confederacy A Ct, 14.11.47;

Land Ct, Sekondi, Land

Appeal No.11/47 : 262, 271 Abessibro v. Ana : (1893) F.L.R. 78 : 283 . Abinabina v. Enyimadu : (1953) P.C. App.No.5/51 : 694,

702,

701, 703 Abinah v. Kennedy : (1921) F.Ct *20-*21, 21 : 698, 706

Abrobah v. Moubarak : (1935) D.Ct *31-*37, 103 : 528, 539, 686 Accuful v. Martey : (1882) F.C.L. 156 : 698 ^...

Ackon v. Kotoh : (1922) F.Ct *22, 9 : 699, 715 Acquah v. Acquah :

& Tsetsewa

(1941) 7 W.A.C.A. 222 : 212, 365,

252, 624 Acquah v. Gaisie : (1896) Ren. 124 : 166

Acquainoo v. Abiram : (1910) Earn. 43 : 722 Adai v. Darku : (1905) Red. 231;

Ren. 348 (1st

instance); : Ren. 417 (Full Ct)

453, 541,

466, 544

477

Adjei v. Dabanka : (1930) 1 W.A.C.A. 63 : 437

Adjuah v. Wilson : (1927) F.Ct ,26 -,29, 260 : 650, 667, 675 Ado v. Wusu : (1940) 6 W.A.C.A. 24 : 715, 716

xiv

Adu v. Kurna : (1937) 3 W.A.C.A. 240 : 697 Aginfram v. Broquassie: (1878) Ren. 40 : 68, 109 Agyeman v. Yarmoah : (1913) D. & F. 'll-'ie,

56 : 702, 704 Akempon v. Enyan : (1912) Ren. 629 : 268

Akesse v. Ababio : (1935) 2 W.A.C.A. 264 : 696, 716 Akuamankra v. Paul :

& Ajar©

(1912) d . & f . 'li-’ie,

26 : 33, 101 Akwapim v. Budu : (1935) D. Ct ,31-*37, 89 : 639

Amarquaye v # Broerxer : (1898) Ren. 145 : 667, 676 Ambah v. Libra : (1927) F.Ct *26-'29, 241 : 593

Ambradu v. Manaah : (1947) Unreported:

Land Ct, Sekondi, Appeal

No•1/47 : 210, 526

Ameyaw III v. Safo : (1947) P.C. App.No.66/45 : 669 Araissah v. Krabah : (1936) P.C. 2 W.A.C.A. 30: 18, 41, 109,

24, 67,

193 Amoa v # Obil : (1885) F.L.R. 39 : 712

Amuakwa v . Anyan : (1936) 3 W.A.C.A. 22 : 650, 659 Amuie v. Sabih : (1949) Unreported:

W.A.C.A. Civ. Appeal

No.33/48, 31.1.1949 : 726, 766 He Anaman : (1894) F.C.L. 221 : 599, 620 Angbo v, Dei : (1908) Supreme Ct 15.6.1908

(referred to in Odonkor v. Ayeh (1913) D. & F.

*11-^16, 50) : 112 Angmor v. Ter : (1943) 9 W.A.C.A. 148 : 366

Angu v, Atta : (1916) P.C. *74-*28, 43 : 669, 670

XV

Anokye v. Abu

Ansa v. Sackey Anto v. Anto

Antu v. Buedu Apawu v. Addo

Apenteng II v. Ama : , Nfum Appeal Suit No.33/1946:

Appreku v. Kwakyi :

Aradzie v. Adiankah, : Aradzie v. Yandor : Asarnangkese Arbitration

(finding of Hall,J.):

Asamoah v. Mprenguo :

Asantewa v. Boanyire :

Asare v. Wusu Ashon v. Snyper Asiedu v. Ofori

Assachere v. Dadiase Assibey v. Agyeman

(1948) Unreported:

Adansi B Ct, 25.9.1948 : (1923) F.Ct '23-'25, 113 : (1949) Unreported: New Juaben A Ct, No.20/49,

12.7.1949 :

(1929) F.Ct ,26-,29, 474 : (1949) Unreported: New Juaben A Ct, No.54/49,

11.7.49 :

(1949) Unreported: Land Court, Cape Coast,23.3.49:

(1947) Unreported: Land Court, Cape Coast :

(1950) Unreported; Land Court, Kumasi, 6.3.1950

(1923) P.Ct '23-*25, 52 (1922) P.Ct ’22, 91

(1929) D.Ct *26-*29, 220 (for proceedings before W.A.C.A. see Ofori Atta v. Amoah)

(1949) Unreported:

W.A.C.A. Civ.Appeal No.72/48, 28.2.1949

(1948) Unreported: New Juaben A Ct No.8/48

Danquah, C.A.L. 4 (1869) P.C.L. 136

Unreported: No .97/1932 (1941) 7 W.A.C.A. 86 (1952) P.C.App. No.41/

1950

406, 410, 411 530

511 72

487

547

230

329, 3 7 5 ^ 5 8 8 32

676, 681, 706

93 et seq.

266, 684

525 166 269

223, 592 743

702

XVI

Ofori Atta v. Amoah Atta v. Fua

Awo v. Cookey Sam Awortchie v. Eshon Ayim v. Men3ah

(1930) 1 W.A.C.A. 15 (1913) D. & F. 'll-'ie,

65 2 N.L.R. 100 F.C.L. 171

(1911) D. & F. 'll-'lG^

(Supreme Ct) (1912) D. & F. 'll-’l S ^

(Full Ct) Ayima v. Yamike Kweku : (1913) Ren. 730 Azzu v. Akardiri

Azzu v. Cooper Balogun v. Balogun Barnes v. Mayan

Basel Mission Factory v. Bruce Basel Mission Factory

v . Suapim

Bassey v. Eteta Bayaidee v. Mens ah

Angwah Bennieh v.

Abaka Kangah Bimba v. Mens ah Bissoe v # Aithie Boadu v. Fosu Bobo v. Anthony

Bodoa (or Bodaa) v.

Ofoli

Bodukuma v. Abaca

(191£) Ren. 675

(1913) Ren. 679 : 650 (1935) 2 W.A.C.A. 290 (1871) F.C.L. 180

(1899) F.L.R. 99

: 95, 350, 473

33, 98 714 321

144 651 730

650, 660

657, 667, 678 626

276

: 352 (note 118)

(1911) D.& F. 'll-’i e , ^ : 223, 224, 522, 534, 708

(1938) 4 W.A.C.A. 153 : 219 (1878) Ren. 45;

F.C.L. 71

see 3 W.A.C.A. 60 (1891) F.C.L. 137

(1926) F.Ct *26-*29, 113 (1942) 8 W.A.C.A. 187 (1931) 1 W.A.C.A. 169

: 2 2 , 37^ci, 719

249 210

699 129 444 (1910) Earn. 51;

Ren. 579. : 478, 706 (1913) Ren. 776 (on appeal)

(1928) D.Ct *26-*29, 124 : 645

xv ii

Bokitsi Concession Enquiry

Bonsi v. Adjena XI Boodoo v. Bissa

Paramount Stool of Breman Esiam v.

Akyirefi

Brobbey v. Kyere

Bruku v. Amoa Panin II

Bu sumaf i e v . Mi lb ah

Clarke v. Nkrumah

Codjoe v. Kwatchey

Consolidated Suits Nos. 2 & 5 of 1945 Dadzle v. Kojo

Dadzie v. Poku

Dainsuah v. Cole Danso v. Mansa

Darko v . Agyakwa

: (1902) F.L.R. 148;

(1903) Full Court: Ren.

239; F.L.R. 159 : (1940) 6 W.A.C.A. 241

712 669 i (1910) Earn. 35 (1st

instance);

Ren. 585 (Full Ct): 685, 718, 719 : (1948) Unreported: Land

Court, Cape Coast,

1.10.1948 : 67, 231

: (1936) 3 W.A.C.A. 106 : 608, 616, 617, 619, 621, 628, 664, 679

: (1950) Unreported: New

Juaben A Ct, 28.9.1950 : 645 : (1948) Unreported: Land

Court, Cape Coast,

18.10.1948 : 221, 263, 268 : (1948) Unreported: Land

Court, Cape Coast,

22.12.1948 , : 431, 432

: (1935) 2 W.A.C.A. 371 : 212, 262, 268, 275, 278

: Unreported: Land Court,

Cape Coast : 469, 481

: (1940) 6 W.A.C.A. 139 : 175 : (1948) Unreported:

Asantehene's Court, on appeal from Kokofu Native

Court : 47, 73, 77

: (1924) F.Ct '23-*25, 135 : 706 : Unreported: Kokofu Native

Court : 713

: (1943) 9 W.A.C.A. 163 : 366, 367

xviii

Darkowa v. Poku

Darkoh v. Botwe

Dofah v. Williams

1942) Unreported: Agona

Ashanti) Native Court : 596 1950) Unreported: New ,

Juaben A Ct, 23,9.50 : 143 1922) F.Ct *22, 99 : 742

Gaisiwa v, Akraba Gbedemah v. Okai Ghambra v. Ewe a

Donkor v, Ayaah : (1946) Unreported: Land

Ct, Cape Coast, 31.10.46 : 454, 466 Donkor v. Nusin : (1950) Unreported: Dadiase ^/

(Ashanti) Native Court,

10,1.1950 : 507, 512.

Donkor v. Ologo : (1950) Unreported: New

Juaben A Ct, No.6/50 : 504, 647 Dowuonah v. Assabil : (1914) D.& F. *11-*16,72 : 651, 663 Duncan v. Cammell

Laird : (1943) 171 L.T. 186 298 Edmund v. Ferguson : (1939) 5 W.A.C.A. 113 : 420 Elizabeth v. Sam : (1910) Earn. 19 : 692 Enoo v. Anessi II : (1910) Ren. 576 : 58 Erlanger v. New

Sombrero Phosphate : (1878) L.R. 3 A.C. 1218 : 711 Essell v. Davies : (1929) P.C. 2 W.A.C.A. 5 : 509 Etuah v. Richardson : (1948) Unreported: Land

Ct, Cape.Coast, 25,10,48 : 221

Fawcett v. Odamtten : (1929) F.Ct *26-*29, 339 : 262, 674 Foli v. Akesse : (1934) P.C. 2 W.A.C.A. 46: 695

Fordjuor v. Ayakwa : (1950) Unreported: New

Juaben A C t , Suit 75/50 : 228, 322 1896) F.L.R. 94 : 319, 719 1929) D.Ct ?29-*31, 17 : 679

1892) F.L.R. 64;

Ren. 92 18

xix

In re Gprleku, G.v.G.

Gregg v. Wells Gyamfi v. Nyame

Hagan v . Adum Halm v. Hughes Halmond v. Daniel Hamilton v. Mensah Hammond v. Ababio Hammond v. U.A.C.

Hughes v # Davies

Hutton v # Kuta Impatasi Case

(I. Concessions Inquiries 164 &

169) Incroma v. Marmoon

Ink&om Company of Cape Coast (No. 4) v.

Attorney-General Insilhea v. Simons Ita v. Asido

Jasi v. Tchum Kodieh v. Affram Ado Kofi v. Chief

Kwesi Brentuo Kofi v. Kofi

(1934) 2 W.A.C.A. 82 (1830) 10 Ad. & El. 90 (1949) Unreported: Civil Appeal No.82/49

(1939) P.C. 5 W.A.C.A.35 (1869) F.C.L..165

(1871) F.C.L. 182 (1937) 3 W.A.C.A. 224 (1913) D.& F. *11-*16, 23 (1936) 3 W.A.C.A. 60

(1909) Ren. 550 (1st instance) (Full Court: Ren. 556) (1878) F.C.L. 211

(1902) F.L.R. 134 (1st instance) C.Hayford, 50; Ren.221

(Full Court) (1882) F.C.L. 157

(1910) Ren. 567 (1899) F.L.R. 104 (1935) 2 W.A.C.A. 339 (1911) D.& F. *11-*16, 9 (193$) 1 W.A.C.A. 12

635 709

652 205 268 276

647, 683 33

222, 248

531, 669, 681 707

667, 707 629

284, 334 (n.

85), 473 473

706

110

719 715 71

526, 528, 593

(1944) 10 W.A.C.A. 92 : 139

(1933) 1 W.A.C.A. 284 : 361, 409, 699

X X

Kofi v. M a m & : Mens ah

(1949) Unreported: New : Juaben A Ct, No.57/49, 23.5.49

214, 252,

241, 452

Kofi v* Twum : (1942) 8 W.A.C.A. 165 : 708 Kojo v, Dadzie : (1951) P.C.App. No.61

of 1941 : 704

Koney v. U.T.C. : (1934) 2 W.A.C.A. 188 : 677, 682, Koran v. Bafour Kofi

Dokyi : (1941) 7 W.A.C.A. 78 : 204, 380 Korku ah v. Yarmoah : tTnreported: Y/.A.C.A.

Civil Appeal No.8/l949 : 212 Kufuor v. Kwamin : (1910) Ren. 540

(Pull Ct) 466

Kuraa v. Kuma : (1934) (1938)

2 W.A.C.A. 178 : P.C. 5 W.A.C.A. 4 :

463, 463,

468, 696, Kwadjoe v. Cudjoe : (1930) D.Ct *29-*31, 25 : 713

Kwaku v. Sacker : (1912) D. & P. ,11-,16,37: 651, 680 Kwakuwah v. Nayenna : (1938) 4 W.A.C.A. 165 : 522

Kwamin v. Kufuor : (1914) Ren. 814;

P.C. ,74 -,28, 29 : 678 Kweku v..Wood : D.Ct *31-*37, 3 : 650

Larkai v. Amorkor : (1933) 1 W.A.C.A. 323 : 234, 545 Laryea v. U.T.C. : (1931) D.Ct *29-*31, 122 : 271

Lawani v. Tadeyo : (1944) 10 W.A.C.A. 37 : 216, 721 Lindsay Petroleum

v. Hurd ; (1874) L.R, 5 P.C. 221 : 711 Lokko v # Konklofi : (1907) Ren. 450 : 248,

280,

249, 311 Lord Strathcona S.S.Cp.

v.Dominion Coal Co. : (1926) A.C. 108) (P.O.) : 298

xxi

Lutterodt

v . Lutterodt : (1915) K-F, 1 : 674

Mahmudu v. Zenuah : (1934) 2 W.A.C.A, 172 : 204, 205, 216, 221, 223

Manko v. Bonso : (1936) 3 W.A.C.A. 62 : 219, 375/^721 Quablna Mans ah v.

Hamilton : (1878) Ren. 43 : 276 MoQuaker v. Goddard : (1940) 1 K.B. 687 : 670 The Mosque known as Mas jid Shahid Ganj Sc ors

v, Shiromani Gurdwara Parhandhak Committee,

Amritsar Sc anr : L.R. (1940) 67 I.A. 251 : 798 Mens ah v. Carthy : (1949) Unreported: Land

Ct, Sekondi, Land App. : No.15/48

331, 666,

656 674 Mens ah v. Cobbina : (1939) 5 W.A.C.A. 108 : 648, 688 Mensah v. Takyiampong : (1940) 6 W.A.C.A. 118 658

Mens ah v. Toku : (1887) P.L.R. 42 22

Miller V. Kwayisi : (1930) 1 W.A.C.A. 7 : 444, 672 Morris v. Monrovia : (1930) 1 W.A.C.A. 70 : 530

Nelson v. Ammah : (1940) 6 W.A.C.A. 134 : 566 Nelson v. Nelson : (1932) 1 W.A.C.A. 215 : 504 Nelson v. Nelson :

& ors

(1949) Unreported:

W.A.C.A. Civil Appeal

No. 77/49 : 667

Ninson v. Aduwah : (1932) P.C. 2 W.A, C.A, 14: 697 In re Nisbet and : (1905) 1 Ch. 391

Potts* Contract (1906) 1 Ch. 386 : 691 Njie v. Hall : (1931) 1 W.A.C.A. 100 : 531 Nkansah v. Apau : (1949) Unreported: Land

Ct, Cape Coast, 16.2.49 : 73

xxii

Nkoom v # Etsiaku : (1922) P.Ot *22, 1 698 Norh v . Gbedemah : (1929) F.Ct '2 6 - $2 9 3 395 : 677

Nyako v. Atiadevie : (1935) D.Ct '31-'37, 120 : 409, 413, Ocquaye v. Sampson : (1927) D.Ct *26-'29, 81 : 651

Ode joke v. J. Holt : (1942) 8 W.A.C.A, 152 : 311, 419 Odjidji v, Nuame : (1949) Unreported: Land

Ct, Accra, 19.5,49 : 97 Odohkor v. Akoshla : (1929) P.Ct *26-*29, 322 : 635

Odonkor v, Ayeh : (1913) D.& P. *11-*16, 50: 112, 117, Okal v* Asare : (1935) Unreported: Suit

No,11/35 : 268 Oloto v, John : (1942) 8 W.A.C.A. 127 : 724 Oluyerao v # Ohene

Agyemfra IV : See 3 W.A.C.A. 60 : 249

Onlsiwo v. Gbamgboye : (1941) 7 W.A.C.A. 69 : 453, 458 Oshbdl v. Imoru : (1936) 3 W.A.C.A. 93 : 714

Re Otoo : (1927) D.Ct *26-*29, 84 : 620, 637, Otoo v. Ellis : (1913) Ren. 711 : 166

Owusu v. Manche of

Labadi : (1933) 1 W.A.C.A. 278 : 716 Owusu v. Nyatsia : (1950) Unreported: Land

Ot, Accra, Land App.72/49: 464 Pappoe v. Kweku : (1924) P.Ct *23-*25, 158 : 221 Parbi & Wusu v.

Moffatt : (1923) D.Ct *21-*25, 37 : 676, 678 Pobee v. Doe : (1914) D.& P. *11-*16, 74: 649

Pobee v, Takye : (1912) Ren. 699 : 475, 477 Quarm v. Yankah II : (1930) 1 W.A.C.A. 80 : 343, 364,

xxiii

Quarshie v. Plange ^•• (1927) P.Ct f26-f29, 246 : 674 Quayson v. Abba ^•• (1934) D.Ct *31-"37, 50 : 451,

530, 534

517, 531,

Richardson v. Eshun (1940) 6 W.A.C.A. 141 : 648

Richardson v. Pynn (1909) Earn. 13 : 281. 460 Russell v. Martin (1900) Ren. 193 : 224, 708 Ruttmern v. Ruttmern (1937) 3 W.A.C.A. 178 : 503

Sackey v. Okantah (1916) D.& F. 'll-'ie, 88 (Divisional Court);

(1917) D.& F. ’ll-'ie, 93 (Pull Court) : 632 Safo v. Yensu ^•• (1941) 7 W.A.C.A. 167 : 111 Sampah v. Yarboyoe ^•• (1946)

Juaben

TJnreported: New

A Ct, Suit 216/46 : 334, 676 Santeng v. Darkwa ^•• (1940) 6 W.A.C.A. 52 210,

278,

271, 566 Sappor v. Amartey ^•• (1913) D.& P. 'll-'lG, 53;

Ren. 787 : 216, 221 Savage v. Poster ⁹• (1723) 9 Mod. Rep. 35 : 710

Sei v. Ofori ^•• (1926) P.Ct *26-*29, 87 : 413, 678,

440, 681 Serwah v. Pordjuour ^•• (1948) TJnTeported: Land

Ct, Accra, N o .45/48,

15.7.48 : 528, 543,

Sintim v. Apeatu (1934) 2 W.A.C.A. 197 : 102, 337, Solomon v, Allotey (1938) 4 W.A.C.A. 91 : 658

In re Somefun (1941) 7 W.A.C.A. 156 638

Stephens v. Blay (1910) Ren. 578 223, 713 Tandoh v. Williams (1923) P.Ct *23-*25, 18 : 706

xxiv

Tawiah v. Addo : (1946) Juaben

Unreported: New

A Ct, No.272/46 : 216, 576, 578 Tawiah v. Mensah : (1934) D.Ct *31-*37, 65 : 22

Amodu Tijani v. : Secretary, S. Nigeria

(1921) 2 A.C. 399 (P.O.) : 695

Tsetsewa v. Acquah : (1941) 7 W.A.C.A. 216 : 205, 212, 251 261, 276

Tsibu Kyei : (1922) P.Ct *22, 13 : 692, 698 Tupri v. Wayo : (1912) D.& P. "ll-'ie, 28: 367

U.A.C. v* Apaw : (1936) 3 W.A.C.A. 114 : 26, 58, 72, 651, 674, 682 Vanderpuye v. Plange : (1942) 8 W.A.C.A. 170 : 660

Villars v. Baffoe : (1909) Ren. 549 : 216, 235, 658 We ah v. Mensah : (1876) Ren. 28 : 624

Weytingh v. Bessaburo : (1906) Ren. 427 : 629, 712

Wiapa v. Solomon : (1905) Ren. 405 : 32, 33, 101, 162, 693

Wood v. Thompson : (1909) Earn. 15 : 593 Wurapah v. Common­

wealth Trust : (1922) P.Ct ,22, 80 ; 18, 109 Yaxnuah v. Sekyi : (1936) 3 W.A.C.A. 57 : 72

Yamuransa v. Kessi II : (1946) Unreported: Land

Ct, Cape Coast, 31.10,46 : 705 Yawah v. Maslieno : (1930) 1 W.A.C.A. 87 : 506

X XV

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

(Notes: 1. Only works referred to in the text are given here.

2. Words in brackets after authors or titles indicate abbreviations used in the text.)

Allott, A.N.

Bartholomew, G.W.

BeIfieId, H. Conway

Brandford-Griffith, Sir W,

Busia, K.A.

A Note on the Ga Law of Succession:

Bulletin of the School of Oriental &

African Studies, (1953) XV, 1, 164.

4

Customary Law of the Akan Peoples: African Studies, March 1953, 12/1, 26 ♦

Kwasi v. Larbi.(1953) A.C. 164. Akan Cus- tomaryLaw of uarbitration” in the GoTd Coast: I.C.L.Q, (July 1953), 2, 3, 466’/ The Extent of the Operation of Native

Customary Law; Applicability and Repugnancy: J our rial of African 'Admin­

istration, (July 1950), ii, 4.

Private Interpersonal La w : International &

Comparative Law Quarterly (July 1952) I, 325.

Report on the legislation governing the alienation of native lands in the Gold Coast' Colony and Ashanti: (The BeIfieId Report): 1912. London: H.M.S.O. Cd 6278.

(editor) Digest of and Index to the Reports of Case3 decided in the Supreme Court of the Gold Coast Colony, 1844-1951 (Digest):

1935, Accra: Government Printer.

The Position of the Chief in the Modern Political System of Ashanti: 1951’.

London: O.U.P.

Che shire, C ,G., and Flfoot, C.H,

Cory, H., and Hartnoll, M.M, Danquah, J.B.

(Danq.)

Law of Contract (first edition): 1945.London Customary Law of the Haya Tribe: 1945.

London.

Akan Laws and Customs (A.L.C.): 1928.

London.

Cases in Akan Law (C.A.L.): 1928. London.

jv A A c

xxv i

Dowson, Sir E. and Sheppard, V.C.O.

Field, Miss M.

Hayford, Oasely

Korsah, Mr. Justice (Chairman)

Loveridge, A.O.

fY[ C W ^

Matson, Mrs. I.

Matson, J.N.

Phillips, A.

Rattray, R.S.(Ratt.)

Land Registration: 1952. London: H.M.S.O.

Akim-Kotoku (A-K): 1948. London & Accra.

Gold Coast Native Institutions (G.C.N.I.):

1903. London.

Report of Commission on Native Courts (Korsah Commission): 1951. Accra:

Government Printer.

Wills and the Customary Law in the Gold Coast: Journal of African Administra­

tion (October 1950), ii, 4, 24.

Land Disputes in Adansi: unpublished.

Custom in the Courts: unpublished.

(editor) A Digest of the Minutes of the Ashanti Confederacy Council from 1935 to l9l9 inclusive and a RevTsed Edition of Warrington's Notes on Ashanti Custom:

(Digest): (n.d.) Cape Coast.

Testate Succession in Ashanti: Africa

1953)7 XXIII, No. 3, 224.

The Supreme Court and the Customary Judicial Process in the Gold Coast:

I.C.L.Q. (Jan. 1953) 47.

Marriage Laws in Africa: (in Survey of African Marriage and Family Life,

1953, O.U.P.).

Ashanti (Ash.): 1923. O.U.P.

Ashanti Law and Constitution (A.L.C.):

1929. O.U.P.

Religion and Art in Ashanti (R.A.A.):

1927. O.U.P.

xxvii

Redwar, Hayes

Salmond, J.W.

Sarbah, J.M. (Sar.)

Warrington, Capt.

J.C. (Warr.)

Comments on some Ordinances of the Gold Coast Colony: (Comments): 1909. London#

Law of Torts (tenth edition): 1945.

London: Sweet & Maxwell.

Fantl Customary Laws (F.C.L.) (second edition): 1904. London.

Fanti National Constitution (F.N.C.):

1906. London: Y/m. Clowes.

Memorandum on Native Custom in Ashanti:

First Edition: 1934.

Second Edition: See Matson, Digest.

(References are to the first edition unless otherwise stated).

xxviii

GLOSSARY.

I. NATIVE WORDS.

(Note: The spelling of the Twi, Pante and Asante words adopted here is the author's own. The orthography of these

languages has varied very widely in the past hundred years, and is not yet stabilized. Spellings given f below are generally in conformity with accepted modern

’ ; practice; but the reader may care to refer to J.G.

Christaller: Dictionary of the Asante and Fante Language.) Diacritics have been omitted.

Abus a

Abusua Abusuahene Abusuapanin

(also - ebusah, bu'sa) - lit, “division into three parts” ; used here principally of abusa tenancies, where a tenant contracts to pay one-third of the yield (usu. cocoa) from the land which he holds.

“Clan”; or “family” (matrilineal).

“Head of the Chief's family group” - Warrington.

Head of an abusua or family; lit. “Elder of the Family”.

Abusuatirl Head of an abusua.

Adonten The main body of the army.

Adonterihene The chief of the Adonten wing of the army.

Ahenfie “House of the chief” or palace.

Aseda

/Bu'sa Ebusah Fie

Fie-nipa

“Thank-offering"; a token of money, drink, etc., given by the recipient of a benefit to the donor in thanksgiving, and to seal the arrangement.

See abusa.

See abusa.

“House” , both literally and figuratively.

“People of the house” ; often a euphemism for sieves, “domestics" (q.v.) or servants.

xxix

Fie-wura Guaha

Kwae

Mailo

Mbusua Mfuwa

Mpaninfo Nua

Ntome

Ntoro

Obaapanin

Odikro

Ohemaa

Ohene

Okyeame

“Master of a house”; head of a household.

"Etymology uncertain; guaha is “cut" in order to complete a conveyance of land, especially by sale.

Virgin forest, not yet brought under cultivation;

in distinction to mfflwa (q.v.), land cultivated, and then allowed to revert to secondary bush.

UGANDA. A native modification of the English word

“miles*4, and referring to land allocated by the British Government to chiefs and others, in dis­

tinction to land held there by native tenure.

Plural of abusua, q.v.

"Fallow-landu; cultivated land now uncultivated, resting, or lying fallow, in accordance with the native practice of shifting cultivation.

Plural of panin, q.v.

Brother, real or classlficatory.

A boundary tree, planted at the corner of a piece of land when it is sold or otherwise transferred.

(Ashanti Nton) Patrilineal, totemic(?) groupings, cutting across the Akan matrilineal system. Now apparently in decline.

(Also obaapenin) lit, “the old woman” ; the senior female member, or “female head” , of a family.

(Also odekro) “one who eats a village” ; the polit­

ical head of a village, often distinguished from a mere headman, usually on the ground that the odik ro has a stool.

The “Queen-Mother”, or senior female relative of a chief.

Chief. Freely used in compounds as ”-hene” - e.g. Asantehene, Omanhene, meaning the chief of Ashanti, the chief of the oman or state (paramount chief).

The spokesman of a chief; in Gold Coast usage invariably called the "linguist” of a chief.

X X X

Oman

Omanhene

Panin

Panyin Peyin Safohene

Samanfo Samansew

Sanaheno Tramma

II.

Arbitration

Authoriza­

tion

A community, the people of a particular area, the state.

Head of the state; in Ashanti used for the divi­

sional chiefs (e.g., Adansihene, Mamponghene)

serving the Asantehene directly; a Paramount Chief.

An "elder” ; used of the elders of a chief, or of a family.

See Panin.

(Also: Safohin) a chief serving a Paramount Chief;

a senior or wing chief.

The departed ancestors.

(Also: samansiw, samanse, nsamansie, saman-nse) customary oral will or declaration by a person on his death-bed. Lit, "what the ghost said" or

"what the ghost set aside".

The official in charge of the Royal treasury.

(Also: trimma, ntrimma, ntrama); lit, "cowries";

a token given to seal a sale; see SALE, pp. 353 et seq. "ton no ntrama” is used to mean "sell outright".

ENGLISH WORDS USED IN SPECIALIZED MEANINGS.

The customary mode of settling disputes out of court by reference to an "arbitrator", who may be the head of the family, a chief, or a private in­

dividual. His award is binding only when accept­

ed by the parties; hence customary arbitration is not to be confused with the English institution of the same name.

Permission given by A to B to deal with property, where title is with A and. not with B; e.g., per­

mission given by a family to one of its members to sell the inherited .property which he holds, including the family's interest. Used in opposition to "consent", q.v.

xxxi

Caretaker

Citizen

Class I Area

Class II Area

Company

Dash

Domestic

Drink

Elder

Fallow-land Family

Family-head

One who looks after property for its owner,

usually on customary terms (see Ch. VIII, post).

A subject of a stool or state, bound thereto by birth into one of the families owing allegiance to that stool or state; used In opposition to

"stranger" - one not so bound.

Areas or states where claim to the absolute title in the land is laid by the stools, and not by families or individuals; e.g., Ashanti.

Areas or states where claim to the absolute title in the land is laid by families or Individuals, and not by stools (which claim at most jurisdict­

ional rights); e.g., Fante.

Groups of "young men" or ordinary citizens (per­

haps originally for military purposes), especially in the coastalareas (e.g., Cape Coa3t, Elmina).

Their main purpose now is social and religious.

Although outside the customary legal framework, they claim at times special rights in regard to land as companies. There is no connexion with

joint-stock companies.

A gift; often used of presents customarily given to seal a bargain, introduce an applicant, etc.

An emancipated slave, or a descendant thereof;

the status of domestic entails In customary law special privileges and special liabilities in the family of which he is an adoptive member.

Often used of customary presents or "dashes", especially In the giving of aseda (q.v.). Is either drink, or its value in money (calculated on a standard customary scale in "bottles").

A panin (q.v.), of a chief or a family.

Twi mfuwa. q.v.

The Akan matrilineal family or abusua, a legal person in Akan law. See Ch. IV, passim.

The abusuapanln, or head of a whole family. He is appointed to this position by election by the

other members of the family. See Ch. IV.

xxx ii

Family- house

Family- member

Family- property

Family-stool

Farm-stead Foodstuffs

Gong-gong

Inherited property

Knocking-fee

A house which is family property; used especially of the principal family house, where the head of the family resides.

One qualified by relationship strictly through the female line to share in the life of the fam­

ily, to succeed to the property of other members, etc. See Oh. IX.

In general, all property to which the family as a whole lays claim (apart from the interests of any political superior). The antithesis is with

"self-acquired'1 property" or "individual property".

Although "inherited property" (q.v.) is family property In the wide sense, a distinction Is made in this work between family property in the narrow sense (where the family as a whole has the title and the use); and inherited property (where the family has the title, the individual successor

the use for the time being).

One of the two types of stool, the other being

"town-stools". Primarily a stool to which the members of a family exclusively elect and depose;

typically the stool of the head of a family

(abusua-panln); but a family may have more than one stool.

A synonym for fallow-land.

Subsistence, as opposed to cash or commercial, crops. The antithesis is usually made between

"foodstuffs farms" (e.g., cassava, maize, etc.) and cocoa farms. Often different rules apply to each type of farm.

An instrument used by the messengers or "town- criers" of chiefs to summon the inhabitants and give them information or instructions.

A species of the genus family property, q.v.

Property to which an individual member of a fam­

ily has succeeded on the death intestate of another member of that family. The antithesis Is often made with "self-acquired property".

A present of drink or money often used to Initiate bargaining, e.g., on sale of land or marriage.

Linguist The okyeame or spokesman of a chief.

xxxiii

Oath A customary method of commencing a case.

Queen-Mother The ohemaa or senior female relative of a chief.

Rope A customary measure of land, usually equalling 24 fathoms.

Section A major segment, "branch", or "house", of a family.

Senior member of a family, a panin.

Sheep-money A customary mode of reckoning money, originally tied to the price of sheep. Now used in refer­

ence to the mode of calculating money-rent s.

That which binds or confirms a transfer, or

arrangement. Usually consists of something given by the person benefited to the person conferring

the benefit. It may be drink, sheep, etc. Its effect is usually to make the transaction Irrev­

ocable.

(1) a native chair.

(2) the blackened or consecrated stool(s) of the ancestors of a chief or head of a family.

(3) a legal person (-"crown" or "throne"), the chief and his elders and councillors acting on behalf of his subjects. ; , ' ; ; ; „ ^ : One who voluntarily or by custom renders customary services to a stool, of a domestic or ritual

nature,

The wives of a chief, who are stool property;

they are enjoyed by the chief for the time being and passed on to his successor on the stool.

Wing One of the major divisions of an Akan army, hence of an Akan state.

Young man (1) Ordinary citizen of a state, not being of royal or chiefly blood.

(2) Ordinary member of a family, not being its head or an elder.

Stamp

Stool

Stool- servant

Stool-wife

INTRODUCTION,

The subject of this book is the Akan law of property.

In order not to mislead the reader, it is, I think, essential to indicate its scope, the problems that it considers, and how far it can be said to provide answers for them.

First, it is necessary to say something about the word nAkann . This word is linguistic rather than ethnographic,

but serves conveniently to delimit the Fante- and Twi-speaking peoples of the Colony of the Gold Coast and Ashanti. This group stands out, not merely on linguistic grounds, but by reason of institutions also, from its neighbours: the Akan peoples are matrilineal, they share a similar clan-system, they all have a political system based on the Institution of the chieftaincy and in particular of the Stool. Some of the Akan peoples may have borrowed certain features of their org­

anization from their more successful neighbours (the division, for instance, into "wings" (Nifa, Benkum, Adonten, etc., orig­

inally for military purposes); their non-Akan neighbours may have borrowed some of these typical institutions (for instance,

among the Ga people); but the isolation appears to be justi­

fied. There are borderline cases: both In language, and

perhaps in institutions, there is a certain shading off to the West - the Ahanta and Nzlma peoples, and to the East - some of the Guang fragments; but 1 have not hesitated from mere con-