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Why the Asantehene was covered with an umbrella during a closed-door meeting with King Charles

Some social member users are surprised the Asantehene was covered with an umbrella even in an enclosed room.

But is the use of the umbrella in the Ashanti Kingdom only for outdoor events to protect the king from extreme weather conditions?

According to literature, the use of the umbrella by rulers in the Ashanti Kingdom is very symbolic and is not just to protect kings against extreme weather conditions.

Here are some of the reasons for the use of the umbrella in the Ashanti Kingdom:

A variety of umbrellas, called ‘kyinyɛ’ in the Twi dialect, was developed by the Akan in response to the need to provide a cover or canopy for their chiefs and kings.

The Asantehene has a wide range of umbrellas which symbolize significant traditions as well as the authority of the overlord of the Ashanti Kingdom.

The Prɛkɛsɛ umbrella was made for King Opoku Ware with ‘prɛkɛsɛ’ as the ntuatire and it symbolizes the Asantehene’s omnipresence and omnipotence like that of the ‘prɛkɛsɛ’, his presence is felt everywhere.

There is also the ‘Ɔyɔkoman’. It was made for King Osei Tutu. It signifies that the royal family belongs to the Ɔyɔko clan and as a result, this umbrella represents them.

The umbrella Otumfuo Osei Tutu was covered with when he met King Charles looked like one of the umbrellas from a group of three called ‘akrɔnpɔnkyinyɛ’ or ‘as patom kyinyɛ’.

It is made from two ‘ahahrata’ leaves and it is used to symbolise unity. The proverb behind it is: “Ahahrata mienu kabom a, ɛyɛ ɔpepe” which translates “when two ahahrata leaves are brought together, they yield thousands; a symbol of unity”.

 

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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