The Rich Earth Beneath Our Feet: A Spiritual Return to Asante
- Nyoka Samuels-Gilchrist
- Sep 2, 2025
- 3 min read
Let me start out by saying I LOVE to visit Kumasi, also known as "Oseikrom" or "Osei-Krom" in reference to the first Asantehene, Osei Tutu, solidifying its importance in the empire's history and cultural identity! In the heart of the Asante nation sits a flag that represents—as our tour guide explained—"the wealth and richness of the black man," symbolized by the colors gold, green, and black. Koromanti proud! Do those colors sound familiar?!
They should, because those are the same colors used by the small island of my birth—Jamaica, land of wood and water! As we stood at the Manhyia Palace entrance, the vibrant colors blazed before us. I learned about the flag connection years ago, and hearing the guide reference Jamaica brought it right home. When Jamaica gained its independence from British rule, the flag was an intentionally calculated move to link the rich volcanic JamRock to the Ashanti Kingdom. In my upcoming book, "7 Dimensions of Wellness: Breaking Free from Modern Medicine to Honor the Whole You," I dive even deeper into the undeniable links between Jamaica and Ghana.
I peel back the layers of these very strong connections because, it is imperative that people of the African diaspora, never forget that our ancestors did not leave us. They are still here with us, and have left hints or breadcrumbs, so to speak, in our DNA, in our physical expressions, in our mannerisms, in the way we carry our pride and our lineages.
On tour with Wawa Aba Wellness Corporation for Panafest 2025, one of the places we explored in Kumasi was the palace of Hemanhene Nana Apau Wiafe Ababio Sanwoansan. We entered the palace entrance guarded by large lion statues, large adinkra symbols and the court of Nana Hemanhene Nana Apau Wiafe Ababio Sanwoansan. As tradition has it, the tour group was asked our mission, then the invitation was extented to everyone on the tour to introduced themselves.
With such hospitality, Nana Hemanhene recognized that the tour group was filled with individuals actively working for the preservation of culture. The most impressive thing about him for me, was upon migrating to the US in his teen years, he matured in New York City. Of course, I LOVE that because I represent being raised in NYC too! That was an instant connection. The next instant connection was the seriousness and dedication Hemanhene has to maintaining the culture of his homeland.
Mena Nana Yaa Bradua Adubea laid the foundation for this opportunity for the tour group to visit the museum being constructed in the town served by Nana Hemanhene.
The Gyamadudu Museum at Kwabre Heman in Ghana's Ashanti region, built by Nana Hemanhene Nana Apau Wiafe Ababio Sanwoansan, is a significant cultural landmark. Here's what makes it stand out:
Cultural Significance: The museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history and culture of the Asante, Akan, and broader African heritage.
Unique Architecture: It features a distinctive beaded-necklace-like structure with nine interlinked domes surrounding a central courtyard.
Expansive Ecotourism Enclave: The museum is part of a larger 10-acre ecotourism area that includes a natural sanctuary and recreation areas.
Repatriation and Burial Site: The museum offers a unique option for burying the cremated remains of individuals who wish to be interred on African soil, including Black Americans and Europeans.
My favorite highlights were the Anyinasu River—with its gentle flow creating a soothing backdrop throughout our visit—and the beautiful sculptures, paintings, and artistic expressions created by Nana Hemanhene. As we walked through the sanctuary, I felt the rich earth beneath our feet, connecting us to the ancestral land in the most tangible way. Of course, this is an invitation to visit the museum for its grand opening in early December.
When you do your own research on this sacred space, you will find mixed reviews. However, actually visiting this lush sanctuary—with its towering trees creating natural ancestral gathering spaces, intricate architectural details speaking to centuries of craftsmanship, and an atmosphere thick with spiritual reverence—ignited something profound within me. There is so much to learn. So much reconnection to be forged.
Please consider visiting the Gyamadudu Museum at Kwabre Heman to see how you can contribute to rebuilding our holistic health through cultural, spiritual, emotional, mental, and social reconnection.
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