AŊLƆ KINGDOM'S AWALƆGOWO
THE ANLO MILITARY
DIVISIONS/WINGS AND THEIR ROLES
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Awalorgoawo, the military divisions/wings of the Anlo evolved over time. According to some oral and written historical accounts, when the Anlos arrived from Hogbe to Anloland, they had only one military formation: Dome or Adortriwalorgo, the Centre, or Centre Military Division/Wing. Later, Dushiwalorgo, the Right Military Division/Wing (Woe) was created and placed under the command of the Agudzawo (Easterners - referring to those dwelling Eastwards, towards the sunrise - the people of Kedzi,Vodza, Keta and surrounding areas). (According to some sources, the right wing was created through the division of the central wing into two). Years later. the third Military Division/Wing called Lashibi or Miawalorgo was formed, and was initially led by some descendants of Amega Le, who arrived from Aklorborme (Kroboland).
When the Agudzawo migrated from Keta and its environs and founded the state of Some on Klikor land (due to conflict created by some Danish traders as part of their divide-and-conquer strategy), the Anlos were left with only Adortri and Lashibi Military Divisions/Wings. Hence, the Dushiwalorgo was reestablished through the regrouping of Adortri and Lashibi Divisions. Since then, the three Military Divisions/Wings of the Anlo have remained:
DOMEWALORGO : Central Military Division/Wing
DUSHIWALORGO: Right Military Division/ Wing
LASHIBIWALORGO: Left Military Division/Wing.
THE ROLE OF ANLO AWALORGOAWO: MILITARY DIVISIONS / WINGS
Awalorgoawo, military divisions of the Anlo were responsible for defending the Kingdom during periods of enemy attacks, and attacking the enemy in cases of protracted or unresolved conflicts. The early period of the Anlo Kingdom’s formation was bedeviled with vicissitudes of life, inter and intra tribal conflicts some of which revolved around territorial integrity, encroachment of fish grounds, farm and residential land, trade, control of trade routes, and resistance foreigner’s domination or oppression.
ANLO KINGDOM MILITARY STRATEGY:
The initial military strategy of the Anlo involved a circular approach to attacking the enemy (xlaƒoƒo futɔwo or toɖeɖe ɖe futɔwo). This was followed by a two-pronged approach, involving Dome and Lashibi attacking the enemies from vantage points (this occurred after the exodus of the right wing from Keta and its environs). The Anlo later adopt three-pronged approach to war, involving attacking the enemies from the right, left and central positions. (This innovation might have been influenced by the Anlo’s alliance with the Asante and Tete Agbi group of warriors from Akwamu who had contributed to the victory of the Anlo in many battles.
Modes of Informing or Alerting the Warriors. In the event of war, corn seeds were distributed (wo ma bliku) to all allies through their group captains to inform them about the impending battle. The number of corn seeds reaching an ally indicated the time of preparations and the day for the battle. Secret ceremonies were performed by the chief priest and Awadada to fortify and prepare the warriors for battle.
ORDER OF THE MILITARY OFFENSIVE
It was the custom for the Dushiwalorgo (Woe) to trigger off the first bullet, followed by Lashibi or Aklorborwalorgo, with Adortriwalorgo firing last on the enemy from their privileged central position to announce the beginning of battle.
Source Atito Historical Research Group and EwedukorTv
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