| Group: | Chakosi |
| Population: | Unknown |
| Langs: | Chakosi, French |
| Related: | Other Akans, especially Anyi, Baoulé, Sefwi and Aowin |
The Chakosi are an Akan people who live in the Dapaong and (Sansanné-)Mango areas of Togo, as well as in Ghana. They trace their origin to a place called Anou or Ano on the Komoé River in the Ivory Coast.[1] Thus, they refer to themselves and their language as Anufo (Anoufou) "people of Anu". They are also called Chokosi, Chokossi, Chakossi, Kyokosi, Kyokoshi, Tschokossi, and Tyokossi. They migrated to their present location in the late 18th century. The Chakosi had their own kingdom based in Sansanné-Mango, prior to German colonization of Togo. As of 2003 they had a combined population of 137,600. Chakosi speak the Akan dialect Chakosi language.
They have names like Amoin, Akisie (Agishie), Kouasi, Adjoah, Amlan (Amanna) Ouwe, Yao, Koffi, Afoueh, N'gisah all depicting names of the days Mueneh (Sunday), Cishe (Monday), Djore (Tuesday), Mana (Wednesday), Ohue (Thursday), Ya (Friday) and Fue (Saturday) Kwa.[2]
It appears that migrations in the early 18th century brought together Mande horsemen and their malams from the North and Akan peoples from the East.
Together with the indigenous Ndenyi people, they were amalgamated into one people with a mixed language and culture.
In the mid 18th century, a small band of mercenaries left Ano to the Upper West region, Upper East region, Northern region, and North East region The band consisted of Mande horsemen, Akan musket-toting foot soldiers, and some Muslim scholar amulet-makers.[3] These groups provided the basis for a society divided into three classes or estates: Nobles, commoners and Muslims.
Eventually, the small army established a camp on the shores of the Oti River where the town of Mango in Togo stands today. Since they were warriors and not farmers, they made their living by conducting raids into the farming communities around them. This provided them with wives and slaves as well as foodstuffs and livestock. Eventually the people settled in the surrounding farming communities, and assimilation took place.