Final answer:
The Akan and Xiongnu positions were similar in their confederational structures and differences in political interactions and relationships with neighboring entities. The Akan focused on local governance and rich culture, while the Xiongnu engaged in significant external political maneuvers with entities like the Han Dynasty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Akan position and Xunxi's, or rather the Xiongnu's, positions were both structured around a confederation model although within different contexts and timeframes. The Akan, living in what is now Ghana between 1700-1900, formed a confederation of chiefdoms with a centralized authority vested in chiefs and a stratified society. Similarly, the Xiongnu created a confederation of tribes to respond to external pressures and maintain control over trade and resources, as evidenced during the Han Dynasty's confrontations with them. While the Akan were known for their rich culture and artistic expressions, particularly in wood and gold, the Xiongnu were a nomadic confederation living on the Eastern steppe engaged in herding and trade.
Differences arise in their political interactions and relationships with neighboring states. The Akan maintained a relatively local confederation with less documentation on their external political endeavors, while the Xiongnu had significant interactions with the Han Dynasty, establishing a complex mix of conflict and diplomacy, such as in the case where Liu Bang admitted their military superiority and established a marriage alliance.