Asantehemaa Funeral: Little Priest Boldly Performs Ritual for Otumfuo
- An adorable moment captured between Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and a young priest during Asantehemaa's funeral has gone viral
- The little traditional priest boldly ushered the bereaved Asantehene through an age-old spiritual ritual
- Scores of Ghanaians drooled over the moment as they tried to deconstruct the importance of the little boy's actions
A little boy who has been brought up as a traditional priest has courted attention online with his recent moment with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace.
Source: Facebook
The adorable moment was captured on September 15, when the Asante monarch officially commenced the four-day funeral rites (Dote Yie) for Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III, who died in August at 98 years old.
The late Asantehemaa was the king's biological sister and was believed to be Otumfuo's only known surviving relative while she was still alive.
Nana Konadu Yiadom III was enstooled in 2017 as the 14th Asantehemaa, succeeding her mother and predecessor, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, who died on November 15, 2016, in her sleep.
Her funeral would happen over four days from September 15 to September 19 that year.
Source: Facebook
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II is traditionally expected to be the first and last person to see her remains before she is buried.
As such, scores of traditional priests gathered at Manhyia Palace to perform various rites as the Asante Kingdom began the funeral.
In a video sighted by YEN.com.gh, scores of traditional priests took turns to pay homage to Otumfuo.
When it got to the young traditional priest's turn, he held the king's hand and placed it on his shoulders as he turned away from him.
He repeated the action several times, after which he fetched a white powdered substance and smeared it on Otumfuo's shoulder.
The king humbly participated as the young priest led him through the ritual. The proud Asante moment has gained significant traction on social media.
Otumfuo and the young Komfour stir reactions
YEN.com.gh gathered a few comments from social media users.
Ohene Ohene K said:
"Clearly, modernisation has no place in the Asante Kingdom and its belief systems. The Kingdom has thrived for centuries and will continue to prevail over any forces that attempt to overthrow it. Long live Otumfuo; long live Asanteman."
Iconic Kwasi shared:
"He is little in the eyes of men but very powerful spiritually. I salute the priest; the message delivered, the display of communication in a sign language it was very powerful."
Ernest Abroquah shared:
"The king himself was looking at him with great astonishment. I love how the king also humbly went along with the young individual."
Okatakyie Samuel Osei Mensah remarked:
"Very young, I now understand why some of my pretty and handsome students have been forced by their respective suman to serve them as priests."
Evans Kumifletcher commented:
"For the king to shake hands with the small priest means the boy is mighty in the spiritual realm."
Alhaji Hakim added
"One thing about the Asante is that as far as it is tradition, they don’t joke with it.. no matter who is leading."
Kwaku Bonsam storms Manhyia for Asantehemaa's funeral
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Kwaku Bonsam had arrived at the Manhyia Palace for Asantehemaa's funeral on the back of a horse.
He wore a special batakari with several live birds hanging loose from his outfit. The birds, believed to be doves, flapped their wings as Kwaku Bonsam bounced repeatedly during his ritual dancing.
Speaking to Lawson FM, Nana Kwaku Bonsam confirmed that his outfit was specially tailored for Asantehemaa's week-long funeral from Monday, September 15, 2025, to Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
