Final answer:
The Golden Stool is a wooden stool adorned with gold, symbolizing royalty and power in Ashanti culture. It represents the Ashanti people's spirit and is so sacred that it must never touch the ground. It is essential in historical, cultural, and ritualistic contexts and remains a pivotal symbol of Ashanti identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Golden Stool is deeply significant in Ashanti culture. It is indeed a wooden stool covered in gold with cast-gold attachments, signifying that option 1 is correct. However, the stool is not just a luxurious item; it symbolizes much more. As a symbol of royalty and power, reminiscent of option 2, the stool represents the unity and spirit of the Ashanti people - the living, the dead, and those yet to be born. It is a mythical object, steeped in legend about descending from the sky and landing on the lap of the first Ashanti king, Osei Tutu. While its origins are not uncertain, it has a legendary aspect to it, making option 3 only partially correct. Hence, the main answer to the student’s query would be options 1 and 2, encapsulating its physical and symbolic attributes. The stool's sacredness is such that it should never touch the ground and is only handled by the ruler, underscoring its sanctity. During solemn occasions, the stool itself is seated on a throne, further cementing its role as an emblem of authority and the collective soul of the Asante nation.In addition, the Golden Stool has not only been used in royal ceremonies after Ghana's independence but has also been at the center of historical conflicts, such as the infamous incident with the English governor in 1900. Its revered status remains, and its exact location is known only to the Asante king and his closest advisors, though replicas are often used in ritual occasions and are available to tourists as souvenirs.Overall, the Golden Stool is an intrinsic part of Ashanti identity and governance, reflecting the essence of Akan ruler's art where a chieftain's stool is the central sign of leadership and a repository of personal power.