Asantehemaa funeral rites to begin December 1

The final funeral rite of the late Asantehemaa Nana Afia Serwaa Kobi Ampem is slated to begin on Friday, December 1, 2017 and end on December 11, 2017, authorities from Manhyia Palace have announced.

Due to the mourning of the late queen, a ban has been placed on funerals and noise making in the Ashanti kingdom within that period.

At a press conference in Kumasi last week Thursday (November 2, 2017) the Kumasi Traditional Council led by Nsuoasehene, Nana Nsuoase Poku, announced that the final rites would begin with various performances and show of power from traditional priests and priestesses across the kingdom.

The wake rite for the late royal would begin on the evening of Saturday, December 2, 2017 after a general cleaning of Kumasi during the day.

Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and the royal family, he noted, would stay away from food from Saturday evening till Friday December 8, 2017 where Otumfuo will share sheep and various kinds of foods to the people of Ashanti to signal the lifting of the ban on eating.

Nana Nsuoase Poku also announced that due to the huge number of entourage the Asantehene would have during the performance of some rites at some designated points in Kumasi, no shop or store would be opened on Monday and Tuesday, the 4th and 5th of December, 2017 respectively.

He noted that the palace executioners will deal ruthlessly with anyone who disobeys the order and opens for business in the central business district (CBD) of the regional capital. Nana Poku said there will also be firing of musketry led by Otumfuo himself after which he will sit in state receiving sympathies and donations and sharing palm wine at the Manhyia palace.

Residents of Kumasi are supposed to stay indoors from 5:00 p.m., Saturday, December 9, 2017 to 5:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m., Sunday, December 10, 2017, to 5:00 a.m., because Otumfuo Osei Tutu and the Asantehemaa will send the ‘Abusua kuruwa to Breman.