File photo of a black cat
A compelling tale from Asante history reveals the enigmatic escape of Nana Owusu Sekyere Panin, a former Mamponghene known for his mystical powers, as documented by scholars Robert S. Rattray and Ivor Wilks.
According to written and oral accounts, Nana Owusu Sekyere Panin, described as possessing supernatural abilities, exhibited significant insubordination toward Asantehene Osei Kwame, feeling untouchable due to his mystical prowess.
This defiance prompted the Asantehene to incite rebellion among Gyamase, Afidwase, and Edwera against their overlord, the Mamponghene.
In response, Osei Kwame dispatched the renowned Ankaasehene Yaw-Amoa Ponko to lead warriors against the rebellious Nana Sekyere.
Fleeing to Yeji to evade capture, Nana Sekyere reportedly vanished into a cave, having allegedly turned into a cat.
According to Rattray’s account, the events of Nana Owusu Sekyere Panyin turning into a cat were probably a metaphoric narrative, even though he was known to possess mystical powers.
“The Stool now passed again to the Tana branch, being given to Owusu Sekyere Panyin. He was a magician (wa bin). [The events of his time are obscured in a haze of myth, probably created to hide real events distasteful to his successors.] When Jamasi and Effiduase, who had rebelled, chased him to Yegi, he turned into a cat. He finally disappeared by entering a hole in the rock near Bohen (known as Boakora Bom). His drums and nahera horns are still sometimes heard on an Adae,” the Scottish anthropologist wrote in his book titled ‘Ashanti.’
Oral tradition further enriches this narrative, drawing parallels with the Tafohene (Safo Akonton), who is said to have transformed into a cricket (akatakyire) to elude Nana Osei Tutu I during an attack.
The story of Nana Owusu Sekyere Paynin, remains deeply rooted in Ashanti culture, which blends historical events with supernatural elements as part of Asante oral tradition and heritage.
GA