- The final funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II kicked off today with performances from traditional priests and priestesses at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.
The performances, according to tradition, were to ward off evil spirits. It is also to pave way for a smooth organisation of the funeral which would last 11 days.
The late Queen and mother of the current Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, passed away in 2016, aged 109.
She was succeeded by Nana Konadu Yiadom II, Asantehene’s elder sister.
The final funeral rites are set from December 1 to December 15.
In all, 1,500 traditional priests and priestesses are expected to grace the durbar at the Palace to display their skills in drumming and dancing.
Most of them are clad in white calico, with talcum powder on their bodies, amulets around the wrists, waists, ankles and other parts of the body.
Some of them also danced dance bare-chested, with sticks or other kinds of weapons.
They later lined up to pay homage to the overlord of Asante who sat in state.
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