Linguist staff Ashanti The most important position in Ashanti culture is the chief of the community. Every chief is assisted by a “linguist”. In official meetings direct communication with a chief is not possible. One has to address to the linguist and after he will inform the chief. The linguist is recognised by the linguist staff he owns, symbolising his important position. Linguist staffs are very rare in ethnographic collections as they are buried with the linguist when he passes away. The linguist staff (okyeame poma) is an elaborately carved, gold- foil-covered ceremonial wand carried by an okyeame (the chief's or king's official spokesperson and senior counselor). The presented object is a beautiful example of a linguist staff symbolising the descent of the Ashanti stool in Kumasi when the Ashanti kingdom was created. Height: 1,6 m including the top (Top woman with Ashanti stook: 30 cm) 1,1 kg. The staff is dismountable (3 parts).