|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has announced that this year’s anticipated Odwira Festival will not be held following the death of the Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III.
Speaking during a meeting of the Asanteman Council on Thursday (16 October), the Asantehene explained that the Odwira Festival cannot be observed until a new Asantehemaa is enstooled and final funeral rites are completed.
“Because of what has happened, the anticipated Odwira Festival will not come on. There must be a successor to the late Asantehemaa, and her final funeral rites must be held. There shouldn’t be a vacant stool across Asanteman before Odwira can take place,” Otumfuo stated.
The announcement brings an official pause to one of the most significant traditional events on the Asante cultural calendar, which brings together chiefs, royals, and citizens from across the Ashanti Kingdom and the diaspora.
The death of the Asantehemaa, who was revered as the spiritual mother of the Asante Kingdom, plunged Asanteman into a period of mourning.
Preparations are underway for traditional rites leading to the installation of a new Queen Mother, who traditionally plays a central role in royal and cultural affairs.
About the Odwira Festival
The Odwira Festival is one of the oldest and most sacred celebrations in Asante tradition, symbolizing purification, unity, and renewal.
Historically observed in September or October, it marks a period when chiefs and subjects cleanse the state spiritually and physically, reconcile differences, and give thanks for peace and prosperity.
First celebrated in the 19th century under Asantehene Nana Osei Bonsu, Odwira also serves as a time to honour ancestors and reaffirm loyalty to the Golden Stool — the symbol of Asante unity and power.
Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand
