Once a crucial firewood supplier to the Denkyira Empire, Juaben now stands as a testament to resilience and transformation. Juaben is a traditional town with a rich history in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Have you heard its story?
Juaben’s origins trace back to the Oyoko clan. The town’s royals were all Oyoko. The king of Dwabeng, or Juaben, was the Oyokohene. He served as the family head for all Oyoko clan members of the Akan people.
Juaben is one of the five principal towns of the Asante nation. These towns united against the Denkyira Empire. The first Dwabenhene came from Asumegya Asantemanso. His ancestress was Aberewa Ampim. She brought advisors and elders with her. At first, there was no stool attached to the Dwabeng state. She settled at Otikurom Dwabeng Mma for about four or five years. She had many children. One son, Aketewa, discovered the present-day Juaben.
Aketewa met Boama Kokoo, a hunter. They were both of the Oyoko clan. Aketewa returned and informed his mother about the area. Before Asanteman was established, Dwabeng had specific responsibilities. They supplied firewood to the Denkyerahene. Nsuta provided red clay. Mampong provided cotton fibers for cloth making. Kwamanhene sent a maidservant to nurse the Denkyerahene’s nieces and nephews.
In 1701, during the battle of Feyiase, the Dwabenhene captured Ntim Gyakari. Nana Adaakwaa Yiadom seized him alive. After the battle, Ntim Gyakari was beheaded in Kumasi. His head went to the Asantehene. His legs went to the Mamponhene. The Juabenhene took his fingers. Ntim Gyakari’s fingers, or Kwadumasa, can still be found on the Dwabenhene’s umbrella.
Nana Osei Hwidie expanded Dwabeng’s boundaries. He took lands from Abuasohene Ntiamoah Amankuo. He also seized lands from Ofinam, the Nkuokromhene. Other lands taken included those of the Adumanhene, Brebemo, Nsusohene, Kyekewerehene, Bomfahene Mmonh Diawuo, and Hemanhene Owusu Biremprong.
Osei Kwame Panyin fought with Basahene Kwabena Sabre. The Basahene was defeated and sent to Dwabeng. He carried the truthful stone called Nnokware Buo. A fetish named Denteh was captured from Krachi. It is now in Dwaben. This fetish predicted Juabenhene’s power. A horn attached to the stool is blown when Juabenhene goes to war. It uses the Abeng language to say Okrakye Dente. Only Nana Juabenhene has this horn.
In the late 1800s, a portion of Dwabeng separated from Asanteman. They found asylum in Okyeman and created New Juabeng, also called Koforidua. They remained independent from the golden stool. In October 1875, Nana Kofi Karikari attacked Dwabeng. Oyoko, led by Nana Adjei Bohyen, migrated to present-day New Juaben. Kwadwo Kesse led the migrants and brought their sacred stool.
Today, Juaben lies near Ejisu. It sits at 6°49’0″ North, 1°26’0″ West. Juaben is known for its secondary school. The area supports various crops due to its soil. These include cocoa, coffee, oil palm, vegetables, plantain, cocoyam, and bananas.
The Juaben Hospital is the town’s primary healthcare institution. Many residents support Aston Villa F.C. Amy Ashwood-Garvey, Marcus Garvey’s wife, claimed descent from Dwaben. Her grandmother, Boahemaa, was a captive from Juaben. She met J. B. Danquah and Kwabena Kese, who confirmed her heritage.
Juaben Municipality has transformed over time. On March 15, 2018, it gained autonomy. It has a land area of 364.674 square kilometers. The population is 63,929. Juaben shares borders with several districts. These include Sekyere East, Kwabre East, Ejisu Municipal, and Bosomtwe District.
From firewood supplier to a municipality with a school and hospital, Juaben’s journey reflects its dynamic spirit. Its history is woven into the fabric of the Ashanti Region.