Fante

Fante, sometimes spelled Fanti, refers to an Akan ethnolinguistic group whose homeland lies along the central and southern coast of present-day Ghana. The Fante are part of the Central Tano sub-branch of the Akan and historically formed a number of city-states and kingdoms, with Cape Coast, Elmina, and surrounding communities serving as major centers. Today, Fante-speaking communities are concentrated in the Central Region of Ghana, with speakers also in neighboring areas and in the Ghanaian diaspora.

The Fante language is a Central Tano language in the Akan family. It is mutually intelligible with other Akan varieties to varying degrees and is written in the Latin script. It is widely used in education, media, and daily life in Fante-speaking areas.

In precolonial times, Fante communities engaged in coastal trade and had established political organization. They were among the early Akan groups to interact with Europeans in the Atlantic trade. In the 19th century, they formed the Fante Confederation to resist Asante expansion and colonial encroachment; the Confederation and related political structures were dissolved by the British as colonial administration expanded.

Traditional Fante society tends to be matrilineal, with rich oral literature and proverbs. Some communities observe traditional festivals tied to local history or harvest, such as those in the Cape Coast area. Today, many Fante people are Christians, with Muslim and adherents of traditional beliefs present as well. The economy has historically relied on agriculture (notably cocoa and yams), fishing, and trade.