<P> In the 1670s the head of the Oyoko clan, Osei Kofi Tutu I, began another rapid consolidation of Akan peoples via diplomacy and warfare . King Osei Kofu Tutu I and his chief advisor, Okomfo Kwame Frimpong Anokye led a coalition of influential Ashanti city - states against their mutual oppressor, the Denkyira who held the Ashanti Kingdom in its thrall . The Ashanti Kingdom utterly defeated them at the Battle of Feyiase, proclaiming its independence in 1701 . Subsequently, through hard line force of arms and savoir - faire diplomacy, the duo induced the leaders of the other Ashanti city - states to declare allegiance and adherence to Kumasi, the Ashanti capital . From the beginning, King Osei Tutu and priest Anokye followed an expansionist and an imperialistic provincial foreign policy . According to folklore, Okomfo Anokye is believed to have visited Agona - Akrofonso . </P> <P> Realizing the strengths of a loose confederation of Akan states, Osei Tutu strengthened centralization of the surrounding Akan groups and expanded the powers of the judiciary system within the centralized government . This loose confederation of small city - states grew into a kingdom and eventually an empire looking to expand its borders . Newly conquered areas had the option of joining the empire or becoming tributary states . Opoku Ware I, Osei Tutu's successor, extended the borders, embracing much of Ghana's territory . </P> <P> European contact with the Asante on the Gulf of Guinea coast region of Africa began in the 19th century . This led to trade in gold, ivory, slaves, and other goods with the Portuguese, which gave rise to kingdoms such as the Ashanti . On May 15, 1817 the Englishman Thomas Bowdich entered Kumasi . He remained there for several months, was impressed, and on his return to England wrote a book, Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee . His praise of the kingdom was disbelieved as it contradicted prevailing prejudices . Joseph Dupuis, the first British consul in Kumasi, arrived on March 23, 1820 . Both Bowdich and Dupuis secured a treaty with the Asantehene . But, the governor, Hope Smith, did not meet Ashanti expectations . </P> <P> Slavery was historically a tradition in the Ashanti Empire, with slaves typically taken as captives from enemies in warfare . The welfare of their slaves varied from being able to acquire wealth and intermarry with the master's family to being sacrificed in funeral ceremonies . The Ashanti believed that slaves would follow their masters into the afterlife . Slaves could sometimes own other slaves, and could also request a new master if the slave believed he or she was being severely mistreated . </P>

Who traded gold and slaves to build the asante kingdom