Ga Mantse and Pope John Paul II: The 2 times Asantehenes stood to greet while sitting in state

Did you know that the Asantehene is not supposed to stand and greet any person while sitting in state?

Explaining this, historian and lawyer, Yaw Anokye Frimpong, in an interview on Max TV, said that it is forbidden for the Asantehene to stand and greet anybody while sitting in state.

The historian, however, pointed out that two Asantehenes have broken this well-grounded tradition.

He indicated that the first Asantehene to break this tradition was the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, who stood up to greet Pope John Paul II when the late leader of the Catholic Church visited him in 1980.

“In the culture of Ashantis, the Asantehene never stands while sitting in state to greet anybody. In fact, the only time an Asantehene stood to greet a person was because of respect for God. This was under the reign of Opoku Ware II, when Pope John Paul II visited Kumasi and the Asantehene stood to greet him.

“Even when Prince Charles and other British Royals came to visit, the Asantehenes during that time never stood up to greet them because it is an important part of their tradition. No matter who you are, the Asante would never stand and greet you,” he said.

He added, “Whenever the Asantehene is to sit in state because he is not supposed to stand and greet anybody, his people ensure that the king and his entourage are the first to arrive at any function. So, whether you like it or not, even if the Asantehene is on your land, you have no choice but to come and greet him.”

The historian also indicated that the second person an Asantehene stood to greet was the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, during the durbar held in honour of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II by the Ga Mantse in June 2024.

He said that the Asantehene stood and walked to greet the Ga Mantse out of love and respect, setting aside the custom of Ashantis.

“The Asantehene stood to go and greet the Ga Mantse out of respect because in reality, he is not supposed to stand and greet anybody. If the Asantehene puts aside this Ashanti custom, stands up and walks to greet the Ga Mantse, it shows the great love and respect between them.”

BAI/AE

#CelebratingUncleEboWhyte: Documentary set for release

Roverman Productions’ Jo Ann details Uncle Ebo Whyte’s thirst for perfection#ExcellenceInTheatre#CelebratingEboWhyte#EboWhyteAt70 pic.twitter.com/iDhQkuO5tS

— GhanaWeb (@TheGhanaWeb) August 15, 2024