... fathers should carry out a paternal function. Fortes3 asserts that "Ashanti beliefs about the physiology of conception reflect the social values attached to the parents". Ashanti society is matrilineally constructed, men have a greater political power than women; but political status derives from lineage affiliation which is conferred by women. The bond between a mother and her child is said to be a binding moral relationship in which the mother provides nurture for the child and in turn expects obedience and affectionate respect from her children. Although other female relations are referred to a 'mother' by the child, Fortes argues that it is accepted that "people feel differently [more strongly] towards their own mothers than their proxy mothers." However, there is a strong bond between a father and his offspring but this is perhaps of more political importance. It is believed that a man gives his "male transmitted ntoro [spirit]" to ...

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