A Historical Archaeology Perspective of Cross-Cultural Encounters at Dixcove and Its Neighbourhoods, Ghana.

Abstract

This research investigates acculturation patterns along the Dixcove coastline, arising out of the Anglo-Ahanta encounter which occurred there from the early seventeenth to the late nineteenth century. The two ancient settlement quarters of Dixcove namely, Ntwarkro (Upper Dixcove) and Daazikessie (Lower Dixcove) were the primary loci of the archaeological investigations which constituted the primary data source. Historical sources, oral traditions and archival data were also used to complement the archaeological data. This was done to derive as much information on the subject as possible. The study spanned three years and the bulk of artifacts recovered dated from the early seventeenth to late nineteenth century.

The study revealed that the settlers of the two Dixcove states were originally Akan who migrated from Takyiman and Eguafo respectively to settle at Dixcove. They currently consider themselves as belonging to the Ahanta ethnic group suggesting there has been a change in ethnicity. The two settlements which originally lay apart (on either side of the Nfuma Lagoon) and were independent of each other were small inconsequential fishing/salt producing settlements which later developed to become large cosmopolitan economic epicenters from the mid-eighteenth century onwards. Dixcove became a fountainhead of English mercantile interest, a major point of embarkation and disembarkation of cargo, competing with the Dutch Fort, St. Anthony on the Western half of the Guinea Coast. This was partly the result of the construction of Fort Metal Cross by the Royal Africa Company which boosted the coastal trade and added a wide array of mainly European trade goods to the trade/artifact inventory there. The trade boom also attracted many ethno-linguistic groups to vi locate to Dixcove.

After the abolition of slavery in 1807, Dixcove’s commercial viability depreciated significantly. In spite of this it was never abandoned like other forts on the Gold Coast because of its strategic location and easy availability of natural resources like lime, wooden beams and planks. Dixcove became an important service station for the English during this period. Archaeological and historical evidence also indicated that interaction between the two groups impacted subsistence and several aspects of traditional cultural lifeways. For example, change was glaringly evident in the areas of indigenous dress codes and cuisine while the English embraced local cuisine. Western formal education and the use of European construction designs/materials such as glass windows superimposed on metal frames, asbestos roofing sheets, red bricks and metal hinges constituted technologies incorporated in traditional architecture. However, traditional medical practices persisted in the study area despite the introduction of Western medicines. Trade in commodities like gold, hardwood and ivory contributed to the development and growth of the English economy during the period covered by the study.