On Sunday, March 19, 1999, the weeklong funeral and burial rites for the Asantehene, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, begun at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

A rare footage of the funeral which ended on Monday, March 27, 1999, has surfaced on the internet showing the casket of the late Asantehene was lifted high on the shoulders of strong men in a procession.

The visual is also filed with sounds of drumming and singing of dirges to mark the solemn but culturally significant event as the casket was surrounded with royal swords in affirmation of the majesty of the late Asantehene.

Ashanti king buried, focus on successor

A GNA report published on GhanaWeb on the day of the commencement of the funeral, painted a picture of a rich display of Ashanti culture and tradition during the event which was also in honour of past royals of the Oyoko family of Asante since 1978.

“The celebrations began with Kuntunkunidae, the wearing of black mourning cloth by Chiefs, Paramount Chiefs and the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. At the Dwaberem on Sunday afternoon, there was a durbar of Divisional Chiefs of the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC), who were clad in Kuntunkuni.

“The Asantehene arrived at the durbar grounds in a palanquin decorated with rich kente cloth and silky material with all the state swords and dancing to ‘Fontonfrom’ drums.

Grand funeral for the late Asantehene begins

“He sat in state to receive homage from the Chiefs and the mourners. Among the first dignitaries to pay homage was Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and his brother, Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, MP for Manhyia,” the report said.

Watch video below:



Watch extended visuals from the funeral of Otumfuo Opoku Ware II below:





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