Fantis

Fantis, a Negro people on the Gold Coast, belonging to the same stem as their Ashanti (q.v.) neighbours, but possessing a greater muscular development. They were once the most powerful race in that part of Africa, but early in the 19th century were subjugated by the Ashantis, and since the Ashanti wars have come completely under British rule. In the war of 1873-74 they proved cowardly and worthless allies. Not very successful efforts have been made by Wesleyan and Swiss missionaries to convert the coast tribes to Christianity. See Brackenbury and Huyshe, Fanti and Ashanti (1873).