Menstruating women didn’t participate in Asante War because they were termed unclean – Historian

A historian at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Eugenia Anderson, has shed light on the often underestimated contributions of women to Asante Kingdom’s warfare.

She contends that the undervalued role of women in war stems from the Kingdom’s religious and cultural beliefs regarding gender and conflict.

Addressing the 150th Anniversary of the Sagrenti War on February 6, 2024, Prof. Anderson highlighted the crucial yet overlooked roles women played in war politics.

“It is important to emphasize that child-bearing women did not engage in frontline warfare not because of their physical inadequacies but because of the fear of menstrual contamination. Menstruation inhibited women’s political progression because of the cultural beliefs attached to it.”

She continued, “Though menstrual blood was considered a source of fertility, menstruating women were considered ceremonially unclean. They could not attend social events in the community, participate in religious ceremonies, honour their ancestors, visit the chief’s court, or associate with any male government official.”

Despite menstrual restrictions, menopausal women actively engaged in warfare, contributing to the Asante Military structure.

Prof. Anderson emphasized their roles as female captains and the Asafo Kyeremmaa, serving as rare guards.

Women provided vital military support, including scouting, supplying, and cooking.

They managed war logistics, offered intelligence on enemy strategies, and acted as spies.

“Despite limitations, women played crucial roles in Asante’s wars. The ‘momome’ ritual, performed by pre-menopausal and menopausal women, involved daily chants, dances, mimes, and spiritual acts to ensure military victory until the troops returned. They even used empty mortars to symbolize torture against Asante’s enemies,” she added.