TYPE: Chthonic Fertility Goddess
ORIGIN: Ashanti [Ghana, West Africa]
HUSBAND: Nyame
ISSUE: Tano, Bia, Bosomtwe, Anansi
INFORMATION: A major deity revered over a wide area of Akan- and Fante-speaking Ghana. She has no temples or priests but days (Thursdays) are set aside in her honor and no ploughing is permitted. By tradition a farmer sacrifices a cockerel to her each year to ensure a good harvest, sprinkling the blood on the ground. As the womb of the earth, she represents the goddess of the dead and she is also goddess of truth. Also Asase Efua (Fante).
Asase Ya/Afua (or Asase Yaa, Asaase Yaa, Asaase Afua, Asaase Efua) is the goddess of fertility, love and the earth of the Akan of Ghana and Ivory Coast. She is also known as Mother Earth or Aberewaa.
Asase is the wife of Nyame the Sky deity, who created the universe. Asase gave birth to two children, Bea and Tano. Bea is also named Bia.
Asase is also the mother of Anansi, the trickster, and divine stepmother of the sacred high chiefs.
Asase is very powerful, though no temples are dedicated to her, instead, she is worshipped in the agricultural fields of the Asante and other Akans. Asase is highly respected amongst Akans. Sacrifices are given to her for favour and blessings. Asase's favoured people are the Bono people. Planet Earth is her symbol.
NAMES:
The name Asase means 'Earth' in Twi. The name Ya means 'one born on Thursday, meaning that Asase was created on a Thursday. However, the name Afua means 'one born on Friday', meaning that in she was created on Friday. In actuality, the Asante believe that Asase was created on a Thursday while the Fante believe that Asase was created on a Friday. Due to this, the Asante and most other Akans call Asase 'Asase Ya' meaning 'Earth born on Thursday' whilst the Fante and the other Akans call Asase 'Asase Efua (Afua)' meaning 'Earth born on Friday'
The Asante also know Asase Ya as Aberewaa, meaning 'old woman'
Asase is also known as 'Asase bo ne nsie' meaning 'Earth, creator of the underworld'
DESCRIPTION:
Asase has two differing descriptions and, thus, two different personalities. However, they are both one deity
Asase Yaa: Asase Yaa is described as an old woman, linked to the other meaning of the name Asase Yaa; Old Mother Earth, and the other name Asase Yaa is known as, Aberewaa. As such she is regarded as the Goddess of the barren places on earth and the dead (she is the mother of the Dead). Asase Yaa is also the Goddess of Truth and Peace and is consulted on matters of the community through divination. As the Goddess of Truth and the Mother of the dead, she governs the gateway to Asamando, the Akan Ancestral Realm. At death, Asase Yaa reclaims her mortal children, humanity
Asase Afua: Asase Afua, by contrast, is depicted as a youthful, incredibly beautiful woman. Due to this, she is regarded as the Goddess of the fertile places on earth, fertility, farming, love and procreation. Mmoatia are said to be her spiritual custodians similar to how baboons are the custodians of Tano Akora. Asase Afua is have said to have given birth to all of humanity, despite the Asante proverb that says that all of mankind are children of Nyame, not Asase, although this actually applies to one's Sunsum and Kra (Ego and Soul), not Mogya (blood) and Honam (body). It is this form of Asase who is the wife of Nyankapon.[citation needed]
All Akans, no matter if they call Asase Yaa or Afua, recognize that Asase has two personalities; One old and one youthful
ASASE YAA/AFUA WORSHIP AND TABOOS:
There are many ways that Asase Yaa/Afua is worshipped. Here are some of the ways
Goddess of Truth:
As the upholder of truth, lying is a taboo committed against Asase. When a member of the Akan people wants to prove their credibility, they touch their lips or tongue to the soil of the Earth and recite the Asase Ya Prayer-Poem as evidence of their honesty
Goddess of the Earth, Fertility, Procreation and Farming:
As the Goddess of the Earth, she is credited as being the nurturer of the earth and is considered to provide sustenance for all. As such she is regularly worshipped so she doesn't withhold her abundance of resources. For the Asante, Bono and most other Akans, Thursday is reserved as Asase's day. On said day these Akan people generally abstain from tilling the land. However, for the Fante and few other Akans, Friday is reserved as Asase's day. On said day, Fante and other Akans generally abstain from tilling the land.
No one is allowed to change or agitate the land without the consent of Asase, which can only be gained by pouring libations to Asase. Serious consequences can befall those who violate this rule. Before planting the person who is going to plant must knock upon the earth as if she was a door
During a child's outdooring (naming) ceremony, once the child's complete name is bestowed upon the infant, the child is placed on a mat symbolizing thanksgiving to Asase for sustaining its life and for allowing the parents to successfully procreate
As the aspect of Earth, Asase receives the deceased body for interment
The colour marron is associated with Asase due to its link to clay (which comes from the earth) and the clay, due to its connection to Asase is seen as a healing and purifying agent in Akan culture.
If a person commits a sexual in the bush, Assase Yaa must be propitiated
Before setting up a house, a sacrifice of appeasement is made towards Assase so that the house is protected from evil spirits
When humans die, their honam and mogya are returned to Asase
During ayie (funeral rites) libations are poured so Asase can permit the grave of the deceased to be buried
Goddess of Peace:
Asase is the God of peace, meaning that when there is a murder, war or a way where human blood is intentionally spilt, very substantial sacrifices are needed in order to appease Asase
Mother of the Dead:
As the Mother of the Dead, she is the one who comes to fetch Akan people's souls to the otherworld (Asamando) at the time of death [cite]. Also, it is with her name that the first offerings are made to the ancestors, due to the fact that the Ancestors are looked over by Asase. During ayie libations are poured so Asase can accept and protect the person to be buried and to lead them peacefully to Asamando
Libations and reverence towards Asase:
As the first deity to be created by Odomankoma, Asase is called in libations immediately after Nyame
The Akan believe that everyone has the ability to show reverence towards Asase, whether by pouring libations to her or by looking after her (i.e. looking after the world)
Fowls are sacrificed in her name and their blood poured onto the floor, specifically by farmers when they need Asase's permission to plough, plant and harvest