The Ashanti loved war. Their name even meant ‘made by war’. They had started a Federation to control the goldmines of the forest. They bought guns, cleared land, took slaves and prospered. Guns, gold and slaves! The cornerstones of the Asante Empire – The Zulus of the West African Rainforest. They conquered; they killed, then they expanded like a huge, interlocking system of towns guarded by legionary soldier ants. They came to learn obedience and to live for what they had become. As their marshall marching song declared “if I go on, I shall die; if I stay behind I shall be dishonoured; it is better to go on.”
In a land where the trees were often four times higher than the average European Trees, on the forest floor there was a profound twilight world; a vast green expanse with months of torrential rain that would turn large areas of its floor into flooded forest for hundreds of yards either side of rivers or streams that had burst their banks.
Narrow forest paths would become impassable quag-mires as the red earth liquified. For all these reasons, and because the Asante were relentless warriors, no one challenged them seriously for 170 years. That and the fact that if they caught you, they would either kill or enslave you and drag you to their capital, Kumasi which in Akan meant ‘under the killing tree’.
Esta historia es de la edición December - January 2021 de Toy Soldier Collector International.
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Esta historia es de la edición December - January 2021 de Toy Soldier Collector International.
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John Jenkins Designs
An iconic World War II fighter aircraft and a heavyweight from the annals of military history are among the latest new releases from John Jenkins Designs (JJD).
Surprising Canadians
Guy Elliott looks at the largely unknown military history of his native land.
W. Britain
A leading manufacturer since 1893, Britains needs little introduction to even the most casual of toy soldier collectors. Under the leadership of Ken Osen, the company is still going strong, expanding its existing product lines and seeking opportunities to introduce even more exciting new ranges.
Thomas Gunn Miniatures
Reviews of new metal figures to arrive in the hobby by George Philips
The Last Sake
Eduardo Fernandez paints a large-scale bust.
The World of Model Soldiers, Part 1
Colin Luxford takes a tour of the world in miniature, starting with Europe and Asia.
King & Country
Reviews of new metal figures to arrive in the hobby by George Philips.
GNM Miniatures
Hougoumont North Gate diorama
Dressing the Kiddies
Keith Nairn-Munro presents the second part of his study of the uniforms and history of the Scots Guards up to the Great War.
A Family Enterprise
George Phillips speaks to Abram Simon about the past, present and future of New Zealand-based Fleurbaix Toy Soldiers.