Otumfuo arriving at the durbar grounds
THE MANHYIA Palace, the official seat of the Asante Kingdom, yesterday celebrated an ‘Akwasidae’ festival in a low-key fashion.
This Akwasidae festival would certainly go down in history, as gold ornaments were clearly missing at the celebration grounds, which is rare and strange.
Gold ornaments, since time immemorial, have always been a major and constant feature during Akwasidae festivals in the entire Asante Kingdom.
Chiefs and their queenmothers usually dress in the precious ornaments to grace Akwasidae festival, to display the richness of the powerful Asante Kingdom.
His Royal Majesty, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in particular, usually dress with precious gold ornaments during Akwasidae festivals to show his greatness.
But unlike previous Akwasidae festivals, yesterday’s festival, dubbed ‘Kuntunkunudae’ was unique as none of the attendants of the event dressed in gold.
Even Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who is the overlord of the kingdom, also appeared at the ceremony grounds without any gold ornament.
Significantly, all the attendants of the ceremony were dressed in dark and brown colours to send a clear message across that the kingdom is in mourning.
The sudden demise of the Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, is the reason why this Akwasidae festival was marked without any gold or flashy colours.
Sources at the Manhyia Palace explained to the paper that ‘Kuntunkunudae’ is usually marked anytime an Akwasidae coincides with the death of a queen or king.
Meanwhile, people from all walks of life took advantage of the Akwasidae festival to commiserate with Otumfuo and Asanteman over the death of the queen.
Some of the dignitaries were given the chance to shake hands with Otumfuo, who was sitting in state, surrounded by a huge number of palace courtiers.
In a related development, the late Asantehemaa’s one-week celebration would be marked at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah, Kumasi