The Asantehemaa funeral is a four-day rites which starts with the laying in state of the body of the Queen Mother…
The Asahanti Kingdom is currently abuzz with series of activities in preparation for the burial of the Queen Mother of the Kingdom, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II who died in November, 2016 at the age of 111.
Renovation and finishing touches has been put in the Manhyia Palace as well as all strategic points around the Asante Kingdom in preparation for the funeral. All the roundabouts and utility poles within the area have been draped in red and black cloths signifying the death of the Ohemaa of the Asante Kingdom. Giant billboards of the Asantehemaa have also been mounted at vantage points.
The late Otumfuo’s mother will be buried on Thursday, 19th January, 2016. But the funeral rites commences today, Monday January 16.
The funeral rites of the late Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II is a four-day ritual which has already started today, Monday January 16, with the laying in state of the remains of the Queen Mother at the Manhyia Palace, Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
The late Queen mother’s remains will lay in state from Monday to Thursday when the final burial rites and interment will take place. Thousands of mourners including families, friends, well wishers, etc, are expected to file past the body to pay their last respect to the dead Queen Mother within this period. Tributes upon tributes have also been pouring in from all angles in honour of the late Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II.
Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II was expected to pay last respect to his late mother around 11: 00 am today. President Akufo-Addo is also expected to join the host of mourners in the Ashanti Kingdom during the Asantehemaa funeral.
The Manhyia Palace have warned Kumasi residents not to been seen outside from Bantama to Breman between 6:00 pm on Thursday and 3:00 am on Friday, January 20; adding that it will not be held responsible for lives lost within that period.
However, essential workers of the Ghana Water Company, the Electricity Company of Ghana and the Ghana National Fire Service have been exempted from the curfew. This is to enable them go about their duties which have been deemed very crucial during the celebrations. Below is the letter of exclusion from Manhyia.
Reports reveal that there is increasing demand for the Asantehemaa funeral cloth which are currently on sale ahead burial. The cloth, known as ‘Nana Yen Were Mmfiri Wo Dabiara Da’, come in varieties of red and black, white and black, and yellow and brown prints, and sell for GHC15 per yard.
According to some dealers who spoke to Accra News, they are likely to run out of supply of the cloths, especially the yellow and brown variety owing to short supply as against increased demand.
The number of passengers heading to Kumasi for the Santehemaa funeral has greatly surpassed the number of vehicles available to convey them. According to a recent report by Citi Business News, long queues have been formed at various bus terminals in Accra by scores of stranded Kumasi-bound travelers.
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