Osei Kofi Tutu I
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Osei Kofi Tutu I was the founder of the Ashanti Confederacy, a loosely knit group of city states.
He became Kumasehene, ruler of the city of Kumasi, in 1675, succeeding his uncle Obiri Yeboah. With the aid of firearms bought from European traders in exchange for gold and slaves he greatly expanded the power of the city-state. He led an alliance of Ashanti states against the regional hegemon the Denkyira, defeating them. Then, through force of arms and diplomacy, he induced the rulers of the other Ashanti city-states to declare allegiance to Kumasi. Through his career he was closely advised by Okomfo Anokye, a religious leader.
The Ashanti Confederacy was officially formed in 1701 and Osei Tutu was crowned Asantehene. He would hold that position until his death in 1717 in a battle against the Akyem.
Okomfo Anokye created the Golden Stool as an embodiment of the royal power of the Asantehene. He also devised the constitution that would govern the confederacy for the following centuries.
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