During her brother's reign, Yaa Asantewa witnessed a series of events threatening the future of the Asante confederation, including the civil war from 1883 to 1888. When her brother died in 1894, she would use his rights as a Queen Mother to nominate her grandson “Ejisuhene" (chief). And when the latter was finally forced to go into exile in the Seychelles in 1896, accompanied by the king of Asante Prempeh IYaa Asantewaa became regent of the district Ejisu-Juaben. It was then that the British general Frederick Hodgson will demand that he be given the “Golden Stool”, symbol of the Asante nation.
This disrespectful demand will force members of Asante's government to meet in Kumasi to discuss the King's return. However, at the meeting there will be a difference of opinion on this comeback. Yaa Asantewaa, present at this predominantly male assembly, will stand up and address the assembly in these now famous terms:
I notice that some among you fear to go to the front and fight for our king. If we were in the days of Osei Tuty, Okomfo Anokye, and Opoku Ware, the chiefs would never have sat and watched their King be carried away without even firing a single shot. So is it true that bravery no longer exists in Asante? I can hardly believe it. It cannot be that way. I see myself obliged to tell you that if you, men of Asante do not stand up, we will. Yes, we women will go. I'll call the women, and together we'll fight the white men. We will fight until the last of us falls on the battlefield.
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