The Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) with the support of Manhyia Palace has announced a ban on funerals and other outdoor social events associated with noise making effective 1st to 11th December 2017.
What this means is that those, who have lost their relatives could bury their dead relatives quietly – without the usual playing of music and noise-making.
Residents of Ashanti region have been advised to adhere to the directive given by the traditional authorities as part of funeral arrangement for the late Asantehemaa in line with the Asante tradition and culture.
Nana Afia Kobi, the 13th Asante Queen, died at the age of 111, She was the biological mother of the reigning Asante King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
In keeping with the long-standing tradition of Asanteman, no funeral could be held in any part of the Ashanti region until, the deceased queenmother’s final funeral rite is over.
All shops in the Kumasi Central business district are also expected to be shut down on Monday 4th to 5th December to avoid any possible clash between Otumfuo’s executioners while performing their traditional rites.
On Friday 1st December, all recognised traditional priests and priestesses in the Asante Kingdom under the leadership of Otumfuo Sumankwaahene are expected to stage their performance at Manhyia Boagyawe between 6am to 6pm.
Followed by a cleaning exercise led by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) and a wake keeping in the Asantehemaa’s Palace inside Manhyia Palace.
On Sunday 3ed December, which is Kuntunni Dae, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II will sit in state at Manhyia Dwabrem in black cloth for the Kumasi chiefs to console him.
The wake keeping will continue in the evening in Manhyia throughout all palaces across the Asante kingdom.
On Monday 4th December which is (Adaedwoada) there will be a traditional wailing known as (Anyinan) at dawn from Manhyia Palace to Adum and back to Manhyia Palace associated with firing of musketry known as (Atrane) a traditional rite restricted only to the royal family around 6am.
After this right Otumfuo will join Nananom of the Kumasi traditional area around 7am to 3pm at Manhyia Bonmu for continuation of the funeral which is opened to the public.
Later around 3-6pm Otumfuo will move to Dwabrem in the palace to distribute palm wine and receive sympathies and donations while paramount chiefs in Asante Kingdom fire musketry between 8am to 1am at the Manhyia Bonwu.
Later Otumfuo’s wife Lady Julia Osei Tutu will console her husband with traditional Gold necklace a practise known as Awisiado.
On Thursday 7th December performance of customary rites will continue while Otumfuo distributes palm wine and receives sympathies and donations.
However, on Friday 8th which is (Adwedeefiada) ending of the funeral fast the Asantehene will distributes sheep, foodstuff and firewood to mourners who have been fasting throughout the funeral in the morning.
Later in the evening there will be a consecration rite in memory of the late queen mother Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II but this event is not opened to the public.
Meanwhile the on 9th December which is Saturday (yahata Ayitan) there will be exhibition of the various customary burial articles presented by the wives of Princes (Ahenema) of the Golden stool.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM/Isaac Bediako
