On Sunday, August 4, 2024, the King of the Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, showcased his traditional dancing skills during the 6th Akwasidae celebration in London.
The Asantehene, who also owns the Ghana Premier League team Kumasi Asante Kotoko, honoured the club’s tradition by dancing to its anthem during the event.
Dressed in yellow kente cloth and adorned with royal rings, Otumfuo danced in his palanquin to the Kotoko anthem, which was sung by an individual at the durbar.
In a video shared by Adom TV on August 6, 2024, the Asantehene is seen smiling broadly, moving his hands and body in tune with the Kotoko anthem.
The video has sparked enthusiastic reactions on social media, with many individuals and sports fans praising the king for promoting Kotoko’s tradition to an international audience.
About the Akwasidae
The Akwasidae Festival is a vibrant celebration held by the Ashanti people in Ghana. It occurs every six weeks on a Sunday, in accordance with the Ashanti calendar.
The festival is deeply rooted in ancestral reverence and remembrance, honouring past kings and noble feats.
It is a time when the Asantehene (the king of Ashanti), sub-kings, and subjects come together at Manhyia in Kumasi to celebrate the Golden Stool, a symbol of the kingdom’s unity and its cultural heritage.
During Akwasidae, the community engages in drumming, dancing, and singing to honour their ancestors and lesser gods, known as abosom.
It is a day of communal gathering, vibrant attire, and cultural expression that underscores the Ashanti people’s connection to their past and their ongoing cultural legacy.
Watch the video below:
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
