Rectangular group portrait of 'king of Cape Coast' with his entourage, mounted.

Cape Coast, or as it is also known, the Oguaa Traditional Region, is the area ruled over by the paramount chief or Omanehene of Cape Coast. The first Omanehene was appointed in 1729, establishing a patrilineal line that lasted well into the 1800s. However, in 1856 a palace revolution destooled the Omanehene, Kofi Amissa and a new matrilineal royal line was established that still exists today. Whilst we do not know the exact date of this photograph it is likely that the ‘king’ pictured is either Nana Aggrey VIII or Nana Kojo Mbra III.

Sister Evelyn Bellamy was a Methodist Missionary in Ghana and between 1914 and 1943, during which time she occupied the post of headmistress of Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast. The Danford Collection is home to a large number of objects presented by Sister Evelyn Bellamy and some of her papers can be accesssed through the Cadbury Research Library.

Inscriptions / Translations:  ‘King of Cape Coast after service in Wesley Church. Cape Coast.’ (on reverse)