Grand funeral for the late Asantehene begins

Kumasi, March 19, GNA - The weeklong funeral rites (ayikesie) of the late Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II and past royals of the Royal Oyoko family of Asante since 1978, began at Dwaberem, Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, on Sunday.

The celebrations began with Kuntunkunidae, the wearing of black mourning cloth by Chiefs, Paramount Chiefs and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. At the Dwaberem on Sunday afternoon, there was a durbar of Divisional Chiefs of the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC), who were clad in Kuntunkuni.

The Asantehene arrived at the durbar grounds in a palanquin decorated with rick kente cloth and silky material with all the state swords and dancing to "Fontonfrom" drums.

He sat in state to receive homage from the Chiefs and the mourners. Among the first dignitaries to pay homage was Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and his brother, Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, MP for Manhyia.

Asantehene distributed customary drinks to the Chiefs to signify the start of fasting or "Abuada" until the end of the funeral next Monday, March 27. Traditional priests led by the Nsumankwaahene, Baffour Domfe Gyeabour III (Chief Physician) of the Asantehene, performed rites to "clear the way of any evil spirit before, during and after the funeral".

In the evening, Asantehene left the Durbar ground in palanquin followed by the Asantehemaa, Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, to prepare for vigil and wake-keeping at Manhyia tonight.

At dawn on Monday, female royals in the company of the Adumhene, would wail from Manhyia to Adum to signify that the activities have began and this would be followed by the firing of musketry by Chiefs of KTC before Asantehene wearing the "Batakarikesie" in the afternoon.

After this, Asantehene would sit in state and distribute customary drinks to chiefs and paramount chiefs, who would follow with the firing of musketry on Tuesday. The funeral celebrations would reach its climax on Friday night, March 24 with the consecration of the black stool of the late Asantehene and the end of fasting.