Feature: Royal poetry 'Kwadwom'

I have already shared a piece explaining the history of the traditional art of royal poetry, known as Kwadwom. An art used to praise and extols Akan kings in their courts.

Shall we now take a listen to a sterling example of Kwadwom performed for the Asantehene before his speech at the UN General Assembly in September this year.

The script seems: Osagyefo gye adwa gu ase Okuduo Asante Na Adu kasa nnen

Kotokohene kasa eeh, Krobeahene kasa nnen

Merema wo Krobea Yirefi Anwoma ene Kotoko nnen

Asante atwa ntire agu oo Twum Akyampon nofong nnen

Asante asiesie bo o suman-titi nnen

Krobea Asante Na Adu ee kasa nnen

Osei Tutu merema wo due ne awisi o

Hwan na obenya se Kantenkyi Boakye Dankwa ne Serwaa Ampem Sikapo ba ne wo

Obi nyaa saa bi a anka obeyebi

Maanu Atie Dufie ba Dammirifi kasa nnen

Kyerewa Nintofie mmo gyee

Osodofo dade eduru Twum oo Akyampon nofonn nnen

Osei Tutu merema wo due ne awisi o

wo pen so na wo de anioden ne nkabom kyekyere w'Asanteman nyinaa

Obi nyaa saa bi a anka obeyebi

Agyakwa Nana a ofiri Firampon dammirifa Awisi

Mema wo Dwabendo Adaakwa Yiadom nnen

Osei Tutu merema wo due ne awisi o

wo pen so na wo de nkabom ne asomdwee baa w'Asante mamu ne Ghanaman nyinaa

Obi nyaa saa bi a anka obeyebi

Osagyefo gye adwa gu ase nnen

Okuduo Asante Na Adu kasa nnen



English Translation:

Osagyefuo, a seat for you, descendant of Okuduo Asante, speak with honour, King of Kotoko, speak, King of Korobea speak. I am handing over to you Korobea Yirefi Anwoma Kotoko Asante, noted for deeds of bravery, Twum Akyampong Nofong Asante is ready for your arrival and speech, O powerful spirit. Speak honour, O Adu descendant of Krobea Asante.

Osei Tutu, permit me to call you thus Who would not like to be the child of Boakye Dankwa of Kantinkyire and Serwaa Ampem renowned for the gold nugget? Anyone who had it would like it Child of Atie Dufie, Dammirifa, that keeps vigil, speak. At Kyerewa Ninto's house, jaws do not rest Love that climbs over iron, o, Twum Akyampon Nofong

When he steps, his feet fall gently and noiselessly, o, powerful spirit Osei Tutu, permit me to call you thus In your era, you have employed tact and unity to rule over your Asanteman. Anyone who had it would like it Agyaako of Osei Firampon's lineage, condolences. I hand over to you, Adaakwa Yiadom of Juaben

Osei Tutu, permit me to call you thus Your era has brought peace and unity to Asante and Ghana as a whole. Anyone who had it would like it Osagyefuo, a seat for you, Descendant of Okuduo Asante, speak with honour