Otumfuo Shakes Kumasi

The Asante Monarch, dressed in dark clothes, danced in a palanquin, as he moved through some selected principal streets of the busy city, amid chants from joyous crowds that scaled over one another to catch a glimpse of the king.

Otumfuo's outing formed part of a series of traditional activities marking his 15 years on the Golden Stool.

The Asantehene, sub-chiefs and their subjects had earlier in the day visited the Royal Mausoleum of the Asante Kings at Breman, which is dubbed, 'Breman Som Kesee.'

A colossal crowd lined up the streets from the Manhyia Palace through to Ash Town, Suame, Maakro to Breman, just to catch a glimpse of the Asante Monarch's long retinue.

At Breman, traditional Asante songs were sung by the people including the Asantehene, amid the firing of musketry until Otumfuo and some few selected chiefs entered the Mausoleum to perform some traditional rites.

From Breman, the Asantehene's convoy dashed straight to Mbrom where the king was carried in a palanquin as he moved through town to respond to deafening cheers from the charged crowd.

The Asantehene was seen singing war songs and he intermittently danced to traditional tunes with a gun and a sword in his hands as the crowd chanted 'Long live the King.'

Speaking to DAILY GUIDE at the Manhyia Palace, the Nsumankwahene, Baffuo Asabre Kogyawoasu Ababio III, said the 'Breman Som Kesee' was an integral part of the activities marking Otumfuo's 15 years on the throne.

He said the Asantehene visited the Royal Mausoleum – where the bodies of the past Asante Kings are kept – to perform some rites and also invoke the spirits of the past monarchs to protect Asanteman.

The Nsumankwahene claimed that the 'Breman Som Kesee' ceremony has been held every five years since Otumfuo ascended the throne.

Baffuo Ababio III said he was touched by the huge crowd, made up of drivers, traders, workers, students, security agencies, among others, who came to demonstrate their support for the Asante King, noting that activities marking Otumfuo's 15 years had been smooth so far.

 FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi