Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Ghana Kumasi Sword of Okomfo Anokye
AO Edited

Sword of Okomfo Anokye

On the grounds of a hospital in Ghana, a legendary sword said to have been plunged into the earth hundreds of years ago.

Kumasi, Ghana

Added By
Augustina Boateng
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Sword of Okomfo Anokye   Getty Images / Werner Forman
Okomfo Anokye Sword Shrine   Sucram Yef/CC BY 2.0
Okomfo Anokye sword site   Caupolicaningles/CC BY-SA 4.0
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital   OER Africa/CC BY 2.0
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital   Getty Images / Education Images/Universal Images Group
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

On the grounds of a teaching hospital in south-central Ghana, a legendary sword is buried in the ground. It is said to have belonged to Okomfo Anokye, a leader of the Ashanti people who plunged it into the earth hundreds of years ago.

Kwame Frimpong Anokye, popularly known as Okomfo Anokye, was a traditional priest and leader of the Ashanti people of Ghana. He helped establish new laws and customs to help reduce the influence of old traditional customs that were negatively influencing its people. Okomfo, which means priest, was an acquired title as he was believed to possess special abilities of healing and of controlling nature.

The sword was used by Okomfo Anokye as a symbol to signify peace and unity among the Ashanti Empire. According to local history, the sword was pushed into the ground over 300 years ago. It is believed that Okomfo Anokye pronounced the sword to be immovable, and so it has remained. This is not due to lack of trying—there have been many attempts, including by well-known figures such as Mohammed Ali, who attempted to remove the sword in 1994. The sword has also attracted much attention over the years and even that of the Queen of England in 1961.

The Okomfo Anokye sword site is also home to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, as the site is said to be a healing ground. It is also home to the famous golden stool of Asantema, where it was said to have descended from.

Related Tags

Hospitals Weapons Legends

Community Contributors

Added By

augustinaboateng

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy

  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

February 7, 2022

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sword of Okomfo Anokye
Stewart Ave
Kumasi
Ghana
6.696378, -1.629034
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Kakum Canopy Walk

Assin South, Ghana

miles away

Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana

Akyem Kukurantumi, Ghana

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Ghana

Ghana

Africa

Places 11
Stories 9

Nearby Places

Kakum Canopy Walk

Assin South, Ghana

miles away

Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana

Akyem Kukurantumi, Ghana

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Ghana

Ghana

Africa

Places 11
Stories 9

Related Stories and Lists

Okomfo Anokye's Sword

Podcast

By The Podcast Team

Our Favorite Newly Added Places Across Africa

List

By Jonathan Carey

Related Places

  • Cowane’s Hospital

    Stirling, Scotland

    Cowane's Hospital

    This figure of a local merchant is said to reanimate and do a dance during Hogmanay.

  • Hartford, Connecticut

    Statue of Rover

    A tribute to the truly loyal dog who waited outside a hospital for his owner to come back.

  • Aldershot, England

    World War I Firing Walls

    These remnants of World War I firing walls can be found in the woodlands of Aldershot.

  • Pune, India

    Shivsrushti

    A historical theme park based on the life and times of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

  • Prague, Czechia

    The Devil's Column

    According to local legend, the devil shattered this column after losing a bet.

  • Nageshwar (Maharashtra)

    Pune, India

    Replicas of Jyotirlinga Temples

    Twelve model temples sit inside this 900-year old Hindu complex.

  • Shadow Room

    Zagreb, Croatia

    The Museum of Lost Tales

    A fantastical display of Croatian folklore, mythology, and myths.

  • The story.

    Tōno City, Japan

    Denderano

    According to local legend, elderly villagers were once brought to this hill and left to die.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.