Asantehemaa Funeral: Kwaku Bonsam Barred From Greeting Otumfuo, Gets Angry in Video
- Nana Kwaku Bonsam, in a video, was seen in an angry mood as he left Manhyia Palace after the first day of Asantehemaa's four-day funeral
- The renowned traditional priest was one of the many people who performed various rites as Otumfuo marked the beginning of the late matriarch's funeral rites
- He recounted a bizarre encounter he had with a security officer during his attempt to greet the king
Ghanaian spiritual leader Nana Kwaku Bonsam was left disappointed after the first day of Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III's four-day funeral (Dote Yie) in Kumasi.
Source: Facebook
This comes after he was stopped from greeting the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the traditional ceremony held on September 15.
Scores of traditional priests, including Kwaku Bonsam, gathered at the Manhyia Palace to perform various rites.
Nana Kwaku Bonsam arrived at the palace on the back of a brown horse. His special batakari had several live birds hanging loose from his outfit.
On the back of the horse, Kwaku Bonsam displayed his signature dance moves to announce the presence of his deities.
Source: Twitter
In a video sighted by YEN.com.gh, the priests took turns to shake Otumfuo's hands and pay homage to him, observing a solemn funeral tradition in honour of the late Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
According to Kwaku Bonsam, a security officer stopped him when it was his time to greet Otumfuo. Speaking to Poleeno Multimedia, he said,
"How can I not be disappointed? They included the pastors in the itinerary, but not us. We all do spiritual work."
I said I was going to greet Opemsuo. A whole Nana Kwaku Bonsam, I was refused. A police officer confronted me when I was going to greet Otumfuo. He told me I needed protocol to greet Otumfuo, and without it, I couldn't. Do the gods know protocol?"
Kwaku Bonsam's issues at Manhyia stir reactions
YEN.com.gh gathered a few comments from social media users.
NAYSEL said:
"Otumfuor is a church elder, how can he shake hands with Bonsam😂😂🤔."
Kobyvhibz👽wrote:
"Kwaku Bonsam is a small priest. Among the priestesses and priests, there's a hierarchy...he cannot go there. Take note."
Sunset TV commented:
"Almost 2000 Akomfoc were there. Only the river gods who are managed by the towns were allowed. Kwaku Bonsam, your abosom is not known or recognised by Manhyia."
Zak 1 Million 🇬🇭🇦🇪🇺🇸 noted:
"We know some Ashantis and tribalism are like 5 and 6 😏they see him as an NDC member 😏😏😏 everything is politics in Ashanti if you are not NPP and we don’t even know what NPP has done for them 😏."
Manhyia warns Asantehemaa's funeral attendees
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Otumfuo's Fontomfrom Hemaa, Nana Ama Akyiaa, had cautioned mourners against dressing shabbily at Nana Konadu Yiadom III's funeral.
The royal leader said the Asantehemaa's funeral was a solemn event, and as such, mourners must dress decently as tradition demands.
As such, wearing anklets and big earrings during the funeral was prohibited. Mourners were also advised not to appear with "loud hairstyles" or rocking plenty of accessories.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
