Oheneba is a regal rank given to both female or male child of a king or chief. It is the equivalent of
prince or
princess (from
Latinprinceps, meaning principal citizen).
Most often, the term has been used for the child of a king, or for the daughter of a
king.[1][2][3][4]
The
twi word derives, via the
twi and
akan word ohene, meaning "the chief or king" and ''ba'' also via a twi and akan word, meaning child, with the two meaning the ''chief's child'' or the ''king's child''.[3][2][1]
Oheneba as a courtesy title
In the Akan tradition and
Akan chieftaincy, the child of a king or chief does not ascend the throne when his or her father dies due to their
Matrilineal inheritance and succession.[5][6][7] However the children are given the title Oheneba which means the ''chief's child'' or the ''king's child''.[4][8][9] The title is maintained even when their fathers (the king) passes on.