The history of Nzema land ownership is deeply rooted in tradition, lineage, and established customary authority. At the heart of this history stands the Royal Nvavile family, under the Awulae Anor Blay/Kaku Aka hegemony, as the undisputed allodial owners of all Nzema lands. Within this framework, various families across Nzemaland hold custodianship in the form of stool lands and family lands, exercising stewardship rather than absolute ownership.
In Adoanebo, also referred to as Adoabo or Atuabo, land ownership and custodianship have always been shared among seven recognized families. These families possess portions of land within the township as well as in the surrounding forest zones. Among them, the Mafolɛ, also known as the Asamangama family, holds a substantial portion of land, a fact that has remained free from dispute over generations.
Historical records affirm that the Mafolɛ were among the earliest settlers in the area. Their custodianship was not self-assumed but formally granted by the Royal Nvavile family of Nzemaland, in line with established customary practice. The family traces its migration from Aowin land, first settling at Bentelebo (Beyin) during the reign of Awulae Annor Bllormane II.
Under the authority of Awulae Annor Bllormane II, the 10th King of Nzema, the Mafolɛ, together with other families, relocated in 1753 to the present location of Adoanebo. At the time, the area was known for its abundance of Adoane fruit, from which the town derives its name. While the Mafolɛ or Asamangama family emerged as the traditional leaders and chiefs of Adoanebo, their role remained that of custodians, sharing responsibility for the land with the other settling families.
Originally, the Royal Nvavile stool of Nzemaland was firmly established at Bentelebo (Beyin). This arrangement changed during the reign of Awulae Kaku Aka I, the 13th King of Nzema, who created a second stool and transferred the seat of overlordship to Adoanebo. To consolidate his authority as both the Overlord of Nzema and the sole traditional authority in Adoanebo, Awulae Kaku Aka I elevated the Mafolɛ or Asamangama family to the esteemed status of Tufohenle of the entire Nzemaland.
Significantly, Awulae Kaku Aka I himself embodied the union of these royal lineages. His father was a member of the Royal Mafolɛ or Asamangama family of Adoanebo, while his mother hailed from the Royal Nvavile (Agona) family of Nzemaland, further reinforcing the historical bond between the two houses.
For the avoidance of doubt, both historical records and customary practice are unequivocal: the Mafolɛ or Asamangama family, like all other custodial families in Adoanebo, holds land under the overarching authority of the Royal Nvavile family of Nzemaland. This custodianship does not supersede the allodial ownership of the Nvavile stool, contrary to claims made in certain recent narratives.
Finally, it must be clearly stated that the Ndweafo stool remains a caretaker stool and holds no land rights in Adoanebo. This position is consistent with established tradition and documented historical fact.
This first part sets the historical foundation, ensuring that the narrative of Nzema land ownership is anchored in truth, tradition, and recorded authority.
