General News of Thursday, 25 March 1999

Source: --

Close relations gives to the King

Yesterday being the eve of the burial, close relations to the late Asantehene, such as in-laws, made presentations called "adesiedee" to the King. They consist of whole pieces of cloth or kente cloth, silk handkerchiefs, blankets of camel hair, pillow with silk of brocade cover and a small collection of gold dust tied to a handkerchief. Some of these items are put in the coffin to be taken away to the land of the ancestors. A bit of the cloth is torn off and passed over to the Sanaahene (Treasurer) and Deboasohene, who would account for them later. Before the corpse is put in the coffin, prayers are offered by the Akyeamehene (Chief Linquist), who expresses the nation's gratitude for the King's peaceful reign and wishes him easy passage to the other world. This short ceremony is called "musuyiedee" and is aimed at removing all bad omens within Asanteman and the nation.