The Power of The King
Third, Osei Tutu, assisted by Okomfo Anokye, developed a new constitution for the Union. The Asantahene, who was also the Kumasihene, was at its head, with the kings of the states of the union forming the Confederacy or Union Council. While the power of the asantehene was not absolute, Osei Tutu enjoyed much despotic power. He was not only the chief executive officer but technically also the chief priest. Although in practice the Asantehene will defer to the actual priests. His capacity as the chief priest meant he never needed to maintained a large standing army to control his people like European kings and princes, because he himself represented not only the state but the society as well. He held a sort of psychological control in which attacking the king would equate to attacking society.
Read more about this topic: Osei Kofi Tutu I
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