The first day of the final funeral rites of Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III was marked by a moment of spiritual incantation as a priest of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, was seen making frantic efforts to control the skies.

According to reports by multiple news outlets, clouds suddenly began gathering toward evening at the Manhyia Palace, where the Asantehene was seated in state as part of the final funeral rites of the Asantehemaa.

To prevent rain from disrupting this significant traditional and cultural event, a delegation from the palace, led by Otumfuo’s Sumankwahene (Senior Chief Priest), sprang into action, engaging in incantations and rituals to invoke mystical powers aimed at warding off the rain clouds.

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According to reports, the palace envoy, led by Otumfuo’s Kramo Priest, positioned themselves at various cloudy spots within the funeral grounds to appeal to the gods for clear skies.

“According to tradition, such interventions are considered necessary during major state funerals, where sudden rainfall could obstruct the smooth flow of activities,” the report stated.

Videos of the ritual, sighted by GhanaWeb, showed some of the priests dressed in smocks and wielding talismans, holding their hands up to the skies in an attempt to communicate with the spirits.

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The funeral of Nana Konadu Yiadom III, the 14th Asantehemaa, who died on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at the age of 91, is scheduled to be held from Monday, September 15, to Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Watch videos of the ritual below:

Just as the skies darkened and rain threatened to fall during the final funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, a man performed sacred rituals that miraculously held back the rain.⁰#theghananewsstand pic.twitter.com/fcqjLkFbWv

— The Ghana Newsstand (@ghananewsstand1) September 15, 2025

#Watch | Asantehemaa funeral: Momentum builds behind efforts to prevent rainfall during the funeral rites of Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III at Manhyia Palace.#AsaaseNews | #AsaasePA | #TheVoiceOfOurLand | #AsaaseRadio pic.twitter.com/LrDa8j41TZ

— Asaase 99.5 (@asaaseradio995) September 15, 2025

#Watch | Asantehemaa funeral: Momentum builds behind efforts to prevent rainfall during the funeral rites of Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III at Manhyia Palace.#AsaaseNews | #AsaasePA | #TheVoiceOfOurLand | #AsaaseRadio pic.twitter.com/zvQpk9B2DQ

— AsaasePa 107.3 (@asaasepa1073) September 15, 2025

#Asantemanmourns: Today at Manhyia, the spiritual realm took charge.
As clouds gathered and the skies darkened, Otumfuo’s Kramo Priest stood firm and commanded the sun to stand still and it obeyed at the ongoing funeral ceremony for Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III. #peacefm pic.twitter.com/LQu0ifh3JE

— PEACE 104.3 FM (@Peace1043fm) September 15, 2025