Kwanta Awudome

Kwanta Awudome is a town within the Awudome Traditional Area in the Volta Region of Ghana. To explain its origin, we need to break it into two parts:

1. Awudome

The name Awudome refers to the traditional state of the Ewe people, located mainly around Tsito, Anyirawase, Awudome-Tsibu, Kwanta, and surrounding towns.

Oral history says the Awudome people migrated from Notsie in present-day Togo, like other Ewe groups. They left under the leadership of Togbe Adza Awusu and settled in the hilly areas between Ho and Peki.

“Awudome” is believed to mean “the land of Awusu’s descendants” (from Awusu → Awudome), though some elders interpret it as relating to “people of the forest/mountain,” because of their settlement on the Akwapim-Togo ranges.

2. Kwanta

Kwanta in Ewe literally means “junction” or “crossroads.”

Kwanta Awudome therefore refers to the Awudome town at the junction/crossroads, which makes sense geographically since it lies on the road network connecting Ho, Peki, and Tsito.

Putting it Together

Kwanta Awudome’s origin is tied to the migration of the Ewe people from Notsie and their eventual settlement in the Awudome Traditional Area. The town’s specific name (Kwanta) comes from its position as a major junction settlement within that area.

chiefs and lineage history of Kwanta Awudome within the broader Awudome Traditional Area:

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Broader Historical & Political Context

• The Awudome people are a subgroup of the Ewe ethnic group, originally migrating from Notsie (in present-day Togo) in multiple routes. One group, notably, founded settlements including Awudome among others like Peki, Hohoe, Kpalime, and more .

• During the colonial era, the Awudome Traditional Area—which includes Kwanta, Tsito, Anyirawase, Avenui, Bame, Tsibu, Dafor, Tsawenu, and Dèdèdo—had no paramount chief until 1958. Before then, the area existed as a sub-chieftaincy under Peki .

• The political structure involved Tsito, Kwanta, and other Awudome towns being under the Benkumhene of Peki (the "left wing") through Peki-Wudome (a sub-division of Peki’s metropolitan governance). The Benkumhene communicated with the paramount chief (Omanhene/Fiaga) of Peki via Peki-Wudome .

• Tensions grew over time. In 1896, Chief Adai Kwasi of Awudome attempted to lead a secession alongside Anum and Boso. Though initially suppressed, subsequent conflicts led Awudome to further challenge Peki’s authority .

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Paramount Chieftaincy & Local Leadership in Awudome

• The History of Awudome by Alfred Kofi Asem (1982) is a significant source on traditional political lineages, though full content isn’t freely available online .

• More recently, the paramount chieftaincy has seen both consolidations and disputes. In 2012, chiefs from Bame, Tsibu, Tsito, Dafor, Kwanta, and the Queen Mother of Anyirawase publicly withdrew recognition of Togbe Addae Kwasi Sekpe XII after deeming his behavior harmful to the Traditional Area. As of then, leadership defaulted to the senior-most traditional seat, Anyirawase, until a new paramount chief could be enstooled .

• Currently, the Paramount Chief of the Awudome Traditional Area is Torgbega Addai Kwasi Djani XIII, as referenced during appeals at the Awo Festival in October 2023. He, along with the Dufia (Queen Mother) of Awudome Kwanta, Torgbe Adzima Buasapa X, have played prominent roles in cultural preservation and community appeals for developments like renovating the Awudome Traditional Council building .

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Summary: Kwanta Awudome within the Awudome Traditional Area

• Kwanta is one of several towns within this Traditional Area.
• Historically, its local ruler (chief of Kwanta) was part of a Peki-led system under the Benkum division.
• Post-1958, the area developed its own paramount chieftaincy.
• Leadership has occasionally faced upheavals—like the 2012 destoolment episode—contributing to evolving power dynamics.
• Today, Kwanta Awudome is represented by the regional paramount chief (Torgbega Addai Kwasi Djani XIII) and the Queen Mother of Kwanta (Torgbe Adzima Buasapa X).

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