Agreement between the Brandenburg Colony of Groß-Friedrichsburg and Twenty-four “Cabisters” (Chiefs) from Accada (February 24, 1684)
Abstract
In 1683, the Electorate of Brandenburg established a colony in the western part of today’s Ghana; it existed until 1717. An agreement reached with local rulers guaranteed the colony and its headquarters, Fort Groß-Friedrichsburg, not only protection but also the exclusive right to trade with the African inhabitants. In addition to ivory and gold, Brandenburg’s citizens were primarily interested in black slaves, which made Groß-Friedrichsburg a central transfer point for the transatlantic slave trade.
Source
Agreement with Twenty-four “Cabisters” (Chiefs) from Accada. February 24, 1684.
February 24, 1684.
All the chiefs of Accada have agreed and sworn to the following points:
1. That they shall gift to His Serene Highness, the Elector of Brandenburg, the entire mountain and make no claim to it henceforth.
2. We shall build a warehouse for goods and the merchant, likewise lodgings for the soldiers.
3. We shall give the necessary assistance to build the fort, but [want] that something is provided by the Major and Captain Blonck for the workers so that they are satisfied.
4. We have eaten fetish [ritual of eating a fetish food to conclude a treaty] (or sworn an oath) and have sworn to His Serene Highness, the Elector of Brandenburg, by the planted flag to uphold the above, and to do no harm to the people who reside in the fort but to bring them all their food. For further assurance they have signed in their own hand with their usual [good] character. So agreed at the new fort at Accada, February 24, 1684.
(Signed by twenty-four chiefs)
|
Songa. |
Ajabu. |
|---|---|
|
Motu. |
Caboe |
|
Amacon |
Jan Jancke. |
|
Mani. |
Poma. |
|
Agoni. |
Assang. |
|
Aganne. |
Fanque (Chief of the country). |
|
Coja. |
Ampajoba. |
|
Ansa. |
Busseke. |
|
Agere. |
Bude. |
|
Gungma. |
Anusa. |
|
Anteba. |
Dohot. |
Source: Agreement with Twenty-four “Cabisters” (Chiefs) from Accada (February 24, 1684); reprinted in Ulrich van der Heyden, Rote Adler an Afrikas Küste: Die brandenburgisch-preußische Kolonie Großfriedrichsburg in Westafrika. Berlin: Selignow-Verlag 2001, p. 33.