Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, received homage from his subjects and visitors from far and wide during the sacred festival On Sunday, June 24, 2024, .
The event, which took place at the Manhyia Palace, marked the fifth Akwasidae of the year and featured a moment of humor, initiated by the Asantehene himself, much to the amusement of his courtiers and guests.
The light-hearted incident occurred when Lady Julia Osei Tutu, the Asantehene’s wife, led the royal family’s nuclear members to pay their respects.
As Oheneba Kwame Kyeretwie, the king’s son, approached to greet his father, some courtiers stepped in to help him adjust his cloth according to custom. Traditionally, a male approaching the king must lower the cloth draped over his shoulder as a sign of respect.
Watching the prince already struggling, being whipped up by the courtiers, His Majesty could not help but retort with a comment: “Na ntoma yi wɔn hunu fira mo san akɔworɔ aka ho…” translated as “He is already struggling with wearing the cloth, and you want to take it off again?”
The king’s clearly humorous attempt had the desired effect, instantly drawing laughter from everyone present, including Nana Kyeretwie’s sister, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem. Seizing the moment, the royal courtiers persisted, giving the young prince a lesson on the proper way to wear a cloth before he finally greeted the king.
In another display of culture and family history, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem presented herself to her father, wearing a kente outfit that her mother, HRH Lady Julia Osei Tutu, had worn over two decades ago.
About the Akwasidae Festival
The Akwasidae Festival is a lively event celebrated by the Ashanti people of Ghana every six weeks on a Sunday, following their traditional calendar.
This festival is deeply intertwined with honoring ancestors and commemorating the achievements of past rulers.
During Akwasidae, the Asantehene (king of Ashanti), local chiefs, and the people gather at Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to pay homage to the Golden Stool, which symbolizes the kingdom’s unity and rich cultural heritage.
The celebrations include drumming, dancing, and singing to honor ancestors and lesser gods known as abosom.
Akwasidae is marked by communal gatherings, colorful attire, and vibrant cultural displays, highlighting the Ashanti people’s reverence for their history and ongoing cultural traditions.
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