Exhibition honours Queen Mother Yaa Asantewaa |22 October 2016
A special exhibition was organised to mark the 95th anniversary of the passing of legendary fearless warrior Queen Mother Nana Yaa Asantewaa of Ghana, who passed away in Seychelles on October 17, 1921.
The exhibition, entitled ‘Saint Yaa Asantewaa Memorial Exhibition’, was officially opened yesterday at the National History Museums by her successor Queen Mother Saa Pognaa.
The ceremony was attended by the director of the National Archives Alain Lucas, among other guests.
Mother Yaa Asantewaa is a respected warrior who fought for the independence of her nation against the British colonialists in the 1990s. She is internationally recognised because her story is one of great achievement, great aspiration for young women and great pride for the nation of Ghana and the African continent.
This exhibition highlights some moments of Mother Yaa Asantewaa’s story, along with other great stories such as King Nana Agyeman Prempeh 1 of the Ashanti, better known as Ex-King Prempeh. He originated from the African country of Ghana.
The exhibition has been made possible by Ethiopian Airline, who believes that such great African success stories should be promoted and simultaneously promote Africa’s great heritage and outstanding enterprise.
Opening the exhibition, Queen Mother Saa Poognaa Yaa stated that the fearless warrior’s story should be remembered around the world.
“Today we remember the 95th anniversary of the passing of the legendary fearless warrior Queen Mother Nana Yaa Asantewaa, who passed away in Seychelles. My role is to keep her memories alive, and keep remembering her history around the world,” she said.
Giving an overview of Queen Mother Nana Yaa Asantewaa’s history, Mr Lucas said: “The fearless warrior took leadership of the Ashanti and raised an army of 5000 men and fought the British. She was captured and sent to the Seychelles to join King Prempeh and his entourage. She died at Le Rocher on October 17, 1921. Three years after her death, on December 27, 1924, King Prempeh and the other remaining members of the exiles Ashanti’s court were allowed to return to Ashanti. Prempeh made sure that the remains of Yaa Asanyewaa and other exiled Ansantes were returned for a proper burial,” he said.
Other royals were exiled in Seychelles such as the Sultan of Perak Abdullah Muhammad Shah 2, and King Prempeh 1.