The Hiahene swears to the Asantehene with the Mpomponsuo sword, the principal sword of the King used by Paramount chiefs and other senior chiefs of the component States of the Asante Union in swearing the oath of allegiance to the Asantehene. The Hiahene belongs to the Kyidom Division of the King and runs second in command to the Akyempemhene who is the Head Clan Chief of the Kyidom Division of Asantehene.
The Hia Stool is one of the patrilineal descent “Nmamma Dwa” and is solely occupied by the sons and grandsons of the Golden Stool. It is a nonhereditary Stool.
The Hia stool of the Kyidom clan in Ashanti was created by Otumfuo Asantehene Osei-Tutu I in 1690. The meaning of the word “HIA” in Asante is traditionally known as “EHIA” or essential or indispensable.
Asantehene Osei-Tutu II succeeded his uncle Nana Obiri Yeboah who was the father of Saben Panin, the Akyempemhene and Saben Kumaa, the Hiahene (Kumasi) both the sub-chiefs and counselors to the Asantehene.
The very first Ashanti prince who was installed as the first Hiahene by Otumfuo Asantehene Osei-Tutu I with the assistance of Komfo Anokye was Oheneba Saben Kumaa to who he gave as his official stool name Saben Kra Domse ranking also as second senior chief or “Obrempomng” in the Kyidopm Clan of Ashanti with his senior brother the Akyempemhene as the most senior Chief or “Obrempong” in the Kyidom Clan or Fekuo in Ashanti.
The word “Kyidom” means the “Fekuo” or Clan always responsible for the operations in the rear, either in war, or in all the Ashanti national activities in the service of the Asante and/or the Ashanti nation.
With the impartation of “Kra Domse” and the power invested in him he successfully waged wars for the Asantehene and the Hiahene Nana Effa Yamfuor together with Akwaboahene Nkawie-Paninhene defeated the Sefhwi chief Abiri in the “Abirimoro war.
As a token of Asantehene Opoku Ware recognition and gratitude to the Hiahene for such a brilliant victory achieved by the joint assistant of Akwaboahene, and the Nyinahene, all the lands bordering their war campaign tracks were presented wholly and outright by Asantehene to the Hiahene on one part and the Akwaboahene and the Nyinahene respectively on the other part. This is the reason why the Hia Stool lands extended from a place called “SIRIBUOSO” near Mankranso down to river Mansan in Aowin- and was subsequently demarcated to the Bia river in the Brong Ahafo region. Main Hia Stool towns occupying Hia stool lands include Mankranso, Kunsu, Wioso, Domiabra, Siechiem, Numasua, Hwibaa, Nkwanta, Anyinasu, Tipokurom, Faohoyeden, Marban, Pomaakurom, Kukuom, Mpasaso nos 1 &2, Adadekrom, Esaso-Safokye, and Asukese.
A son and also any grandson ‘Ohene-nana” to Asantehene, has the right to occupy the Hia Stool, if the Asantehene so desire to appoint, in case there could not be found any suitable person in the family circle of Nana Kra Saben Kumaa, the very first prince for whom the stool was originally created.
Chiefs of the Hia -Stool: