HISTORY OF THE ANLO-EWE

Selected Anlo-Ewe Philosophy:
1. "Nunya adzidoe asi me tu ne o." Translation: Wisdom is like the girth of a baobab tree, no individual's hands can completely encircle it.
2. "Eta deka medea adahu o." Translation: One head may not effectively deliberate or Two heads are better than one.
3. "Kaxoxoawo nue wo gbea yeyeawo do." Translation: New ropes are customarily woven onto the old ones. Apply these philosophical sayings to the events that follow. You may apply them to your own life experiences.

The tyranny of Agokoli over the Dogbo
Traveling through hostile territories, the Dogbo, now Ewe, escaped their enemies but not in Notsie. Notsie was walled and gated to protect the citizens from the enemies on the outside. But in Notsie, they were walled in with their number one adversary, Chief Agokoli II. Among other things, Agokoli asked the Dogbo to weave a clay rope for him. They consulted their last remaining elder, Tegli, who advised them to ask Agokoli for a sample, "Xoxoanue wo gbea yeyeawo do" retorted Tegli. This means that new ropes are woven onto the old ones.

Agokoli was infuriated. He could not provide samples. He ordered his people to drop sharp items into the clay pit. Most of the Dogbo were cut when they jumped into the pit with their bare feet to mix the clay concrete. Offended by Agokoli's treatment, the Dogbo left the pit, determined to defy Agokoli.

The walk to freedom:
They turned to Tegli for advise. He asked the women to throw wash water against the wall until it was wet enough to afford their escape. When it was wet, they informed Tegli and he instructed the people to have an all night performance to hide their true intention. When the other communities went to bed and the city-state was silent, they brought Tegli from his hideout to the wall. He raised a ceremonial sword and invoked the name of the Almighty God for guidance and said, "O Mawuga Sogbolisa, Kitikata adanu wo to; Wu agboa na mi ne mia do go adzo." This means O great God "Sogbolisa, Kitikata, the great craftsman," open the gate for us to leave. With those words, Tegli thrust the sword into the wall and bore a hole into it. The older men, women and children left while the "misego"(tighten your gird) music continued. To avoid being traced by a search party, the last group and the musicians walked backwards into freedom.