Bono Manso (Bono State Capital) – Northern Akan Metropolis
Bono Manso · Bonomanso · Bono-Mansu
Late Iron Age / Akan·Akan-Bono·🇬🇭 Bono East Region, Techiman–Kintampo savanna fringe, Ghana
About
About Bono Manso (Bono State Capital) – Northern Akan Metropolis
Crowned hilltop capital of Bono (Bono Manso) 13th–18th c, mother of Akan gold kingdoms (Mampong, Asante). Earthwork enceinte 3.5 km, brick mosque foundations (Wangara), British brass trade weights and hilltop palace. Ruins under teak forest reserve; oral genealogy of Oti Akenten.
Why it mattersSignificant regional centre illustrating cultural transition.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology refinement
- 02Function of enclosures
Theories
- 01Trade corridor model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.1200 founding; metropolis 1400–1740; razed by Asante 1723
- Period
- Late Iron Age / Akan
- Culture
- Akan-Bono
- Purpose
- Regional centre / fortified town and trade node
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.1200 founding; metropolis 1400–1740; razed by Asante 1723
Initial construction
c. 1667 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
7.7333° N · 1.9333° W · 340 m · 2 mapped features
Hilltop Palace Enclosure
palaceEnceinte 80×60 m with daub palace footings
7.7336° N · 1.9329° WWangara Mosque Foundations
mosqueMud-brick mosque 15×10 m
7.7330° N · 1.9337° W