Akwasidae Festival - honouring the Golden Stool of the Ashanti Kingdom
Every six weeks, in accordance with the Ashanti
calendar, the Ashanti people celebrate the Akwasidae Festival, a significant
event steeped in ancestral reverence, historical reflection, and the veneration
of past kings and their remarkable achievements. This festival stands as a
grand celebration of the Golden Stool, a symbol of immense importance within
the Ashanti culture.
The Ashanti Kingdom is a mixture of social groups, each
led by clan leaders who are bound by the responsibility of connecting the vital
life force of their ancestors with the present generation. During the Akwasidae
Festival, the Asantehene, the paramount ruler of the Ashanti, plays a pivotal
role in overseeing the pledging of allegiance to the Golden Stool, which is
undeniably the most sacred symbol in the Ashanti Kingdom.
Akwasidae serves as a resplendent testament to the rich
heritage of the Ashanti people. Going back in history to the years 1697-1699,
during the Battle of Feyiase, also known as the Ashanti War of Independence,
this festival was established to reaffirm the unity and indivisibility of the
Ashanti Kingdom.
History has it that over three centuries ago, Okomfo
Anokye, the revered priest and traditional healer of the Ashanti Empire, who
also served as a trusted advisor to Osei Tutu, the Ashanti king of the time,
convened a gathering of clan leaders from various Ashanti clans. The purpose
was to unite under the leadership of a single chief, whose stool would hold
greater significance than all others. Any chief subsequently enstooled in any
of the states was required to swear an oath of allegiance to this chosen
leader.
The Golden Stool, symbolizing the unity and soul of the
Asante people, is considered so sacred that no one is allowed to sit upon it.
It is safeguarded with the utmost security and is only brought out on
exceptionally momentous occasions, such as the Akwasidae Festival.
The Golden Stool, believed to house the spirit of the
Ashanti nation, both the living, the deceased, and those yet to be born, is a
distinctive curved seat, standing at 46 cm in height with a platform that
measures 61 cm in width and 30 cm in depth. Its entire surface is adorned with
exquisite gold inlays and adorned with bells designed to warn the king of
imminent danger. During Akwasidae, the Asantehene occupies a position in close
proximity to this revered symbol.
The Akwasidae Festival commemorates the mythical
descent of the Ashanti Golden Stool from the heavens and serves as an occasion
for paying homage to ancestral spirits. It is celebrated every six weeks on a
Sunday and holds a significant place in the traditional calendar of the Asante
people. Every paramount chief in Asanteman observes the day in their respective
jurisdictions, but the main event unfolds at the Manhyia Palace, where the Asantehene
holds court for his subjects and visitors who come to pay their respects.
Akwasidae unfolds in two distinct parts: alongside the
main public celebrations, there are solemn and private ceremonies that involve
rituals to honour the reigning king and the offering of ceremonial sacrifices to
ancestral spirits. These days also witness the purification of ancient,
hand-carved black stools, adding to the spiritual significance of the occasion.
Akwasidae is a breathtaking display of splendour,
magnificence, and cultural wealth, expressed through regalia, performances, and
customs. For those eager to partake in this cultural celebration with the
Ashanti people of Kumasi, Ghana, here is a guide to experiencing Akwasidae
first-hand.
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