Atebubumanhene pays last respects to late Wenchihemaa

Ohempon Dr Yeboah Asiamah, Paramount Chief of the Atebubu Traditional Area, led a distinguished delegation of chiefs and people of Atebubu to Wenchi to participate in the traditional burial rites (Dote Yie) of Nana Atoaa Ampoforo Twewaa Otosuo Sramangyedua III, the late Queenmother of the Wenchi Traditional Area.

Nana Atoaa Ampoforo Twewaa Otosuo Sramangyedua III, who served Wenchiman with grace, wisdom, and dignity for forty-seven years, was accorded a befitting burial that provided a solemn moment for reflection on the life of a Queenmother widely revered for her wisdom and nurturing spirit.

The presence of Ohempon and his retinue underscored the long-standing historical and cultural ties between Atebubu and Wenchi.

The burial rites, conducted strictly in accordance with Wenchi customs, were marked by an enthralling display of culture and tradition.

A particularly poignant moment was the rare cultural symbolism embodied in Ohempon’s regalia, a sacred ancestral cloth known as “Wɔntumi ne Nyɔnyɔma (Wowa) Empire Tenabea,” meaning one cannot contend with bees for a place of abode or permanent settlement.

This vintage royal fabric, preserved within his lineage for more than a century, was handed down from his great-grandfather, Nana Gyan Kwaku, a renowned warrior-statesman.

The cloth carries a profound philosophical message: one must not challenge a united, well-organised, and determined force. Adorned with bee insignia and black cowries, it symbolises wisdom, restraint, and deep respect for collective strength.

Bees hold particular historical significance in Atebubu, having been used as instruments of defence during pre-colonial warfare. Their depiction on the cloth, therefore, represents strength, protection, resilience, and the enduring power of community.

Complementing Ohempon’s regalia was the royal spear, Piabire, an ancestral state relic passed down from his great-great-grandfather, Ampong Yirenkyi I.

The legendary spear commemorates the alliance of Atebubu and other ancient Akan states, including Beposo, Kumawu, Nsuta, and Kwaman, which defeated Ataalefram in a historic seven-year war fought between 1690 and 1697.

Raised at the funeral grounds, the spear symbolised authority, solidarity, protection, and unwavering support for Wenchi in its time of mourning. By wielding it during the Dote Yie, Ohempon conveyed that the people of Atebubu stood firmly with Wenchiman in compassion, loyalty, and kinship.

Although customarily not obliged to make material donations during such rites, Ohempon demonstrated compassion by presenting cash, a box of schnapps, and assorted drinks to support Nananom and the people of Wenchi, an act that exemplified empathy and a deep sense of communal responsibility.

Nana Atoaa Ampoforo Twewaa Otosuo Sramangyedua III is remembered for nurturing families, promoting the dignity of women, and serving Wenchiman with tolerance, stability, and foresight.

Her Dote Yie was a moment of reflection on a life that strengthened institutions, preserved heritage, and shaped generations. Her legacy endures in the values she instilled, the structures she safeguarded, and the unity she fostered among her people.

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