The Akwasidae Celebration
We are taking you today to the South-Centre of Ghana, to Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti region and the seat of the Ashanti Kingdom. Kumasi is the site of West Africa's largest cultural centre, the Manhyia Palace.
The Manhyia Palace, also known asas Asantehene's (King) Palaceis the seat of the King of Ashanti, OtumfuoOsei Tutu II and members of the royal family where the Akwasidae takes place.
The Akwasidae celebration is part of the Adae festival, celebrated on a Sunday of every 6 weeks in Kumasi by the Ashanti people. It is very important to the Ashanti people because it commemorates the date that the Ashanti Golden Stools, the symbol of the Ashanti kingdom, was magically brought down from heaven.
Very early in the morning, the Queen Mother will go with the elders to the King's palace to greet him and wish him well. The first part of the ceremony really starts in the mausoleum where rituals take place in the presence of the King and the initiates in order to pay homage to the dead kings: Libations, mashed yams and a slaughtered sheep are offered ; also strong liquors and the blood of the sheep are poured over the thrones of the dead ancestors.
Read the full story on our website:
https://www.berakhatours.co.uk/the-akwasidae-celebration
