On Thursday, February 8, Asanteman convened a durbar of chiefs to mark the 150th Anniversary of the Sagrenti War, a historic conflict between the Asantes and the British Colonial Army in 1874.
Dubbed “Kuntunkuni,” the commemorative durbar aimed to honor the sacrifices made during the war, with the Asantehene and other traditional rulers dressed in somber all-black attire to symbolize the solemn occasion.
Notable political figures in Ghana, including former President John Dramani Mahama, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, graced the event with their presence. Sub-divisional chiefs, paramount chiefs, and queen mothers of the Ashanti Kingdom also attended.
Social media visuals captured the grandeur of Akan tradition and culture showcased at the event, with the arrival of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, being a highlight.
His majestic entrance, carried in a palanquin amidst singing, drumming, and dancing, brought the durbar to a standstill.
Another captivating moment was the arrival of the Edwesohemaa, Nana Yaa Asantewaa II, who rode in a palanquin while firing shots into the sky.
The presence of Asanteman’s executioners (abrafoɔ) added to the solemn atmosphere, with one depicted in traditional attire holding a decapitated fowl, symbolizing ancestral rituals.
During the durbar, Ashanti artifacts, including a royal stool belonging to Asantehene Kofi Karikari, were formally presented before Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, further enriching the historical significance of the occasion.