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Nananom Mpow (Ancestral Grove of the Fante)
Near Obidan, SE of Mankessim, Central Region
Ghana
Heritage/festival use (grove largely destroyed 1851)
Historical / archaeological
- Location
- Near Obidan, SE of Mankessim, Central Region
- Coordinates
- ~5.27°N 1.00°W
- Elevation
- Coastal lowland
- Age / Founded
- Before ~1470s (Fante founders' burial); destroyed 1851
- Status
- Heritage/festival use (grove largely destroyed 1851)
- Deity & Religion
- Ancestral founders Oburumankoma, Odapagyan & Oson; Fante (Akan) ancestral religion
- Community & Guardians
- Fante (Mfantse) people; priests & chiefs
- Vernacular name
- Nananom Mpow / Pɔw (grove of the ancestors)
- Record type
- Historical / archaeological
Cultural practices & uses
Burial of founding ancestors; oracle & political-spiritual centre; festival rites
Plant species
Coastal forest grove (stones & trees mark burials)
Biome & fauna
Central Region coastal forest
Threats & protection
Famously destroyed 1851 (Christianity vs traditional religion clash); endures as Fante heritage
Source
Nananom Mpow (Wikipedia); B&FT 2024 'Nananom Mpow: Fante's heritage and sacred shrine'