Traditional priests from across the country converged at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Thursday, August 21, 2025, for the one-week observance of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
It was a striking display of traditional worship, as priests and priestesses showcased their deep reverence and mourning to mark the solemn occasion.
At least five groups of traditional priests, each representing different deities, positioned themselves opposite the residence of the late Asantehemaa.
Each group actively demonstrated their powers and spiritual connections, adding profound weight to the ceremony.
According to palace sources, the rituals underscored the significance of the event and the community’s collective grief.
The participation of the priests and priestesses is a required rite during both the one-week observance and the burial.
“Deities were used to establish Asanteman. Today, our Mother has joined the ancestors, so the priests and priestesses had to come to perform the needed rites,” a palace source said.
By Benjamin Aidoo
