ASHANTI CHIEFS IN LONDON CELEBRATE AKWASIDAE, PROMOTE GHANA IN THE DIASPORA

As Part of honouring personal and community ancestors ,the Akwasidae festival was celebrated by a significant number of Ashanti Chiefs (Nananom) in the United Kingdom on Sunday, October 15,2023.

A libation was poured to invoke the spirits of our ancestors and the Abosom (gods).

The pouring of libation serve as an offering to both the ancestors who are buried under the land and to the spirits who are everywhere.

The Akwasidae Festival celebrates the culture, royal heritage and chiefs of the Ashanti. The celebration is recognised by all people among the Ashanti diaspora and exists to give reverence to ancestors of great merit.

At the gathering , Nananom invoked the spirit of our ancestors with libation pouring, music, dancing and singing to honour lesser gods in the Akan tradition (Abosom) and spiritually cultivated ancestors (Nananom Nsamanfo ). 

It is believed within the tradition of the Ashanti’s that, the lower deities or spirits, referred to as Abosom, assist humans on earth.

The pouring of libation serve as an offering to both the ancestors who are buried and to the spirits who are everywhere.

Within the Akan tradition ,the abosom are divided into three groups ,made up of , the atano (gods from water bodies such as rivers, led by Tano), ewim (sky gods) and the abo (gods from the forests). 

The ewim were considered to be judgemental and merciless whiles the abo were sources of healing and medicine. They also have different realms in Asoro (the realm of the gods).

Some of the chiefs present were , Nana Asamoah Kokoti (Amoafo Manhene) Nana Trede Mawere Hene, Nana Gyasi Boanimako ,(Asante Mampong Krobo Gyaasehene), and Nana Sekyiwaa Daadom(Suabekyidom Hemaa).

Also present were , Nana Kweku Duah Agyeman (Asona Hene ,Ejura), Nana Pim - Wusu Ansah (Wiamoase Ahenema Hene), Nana Poku - Owusu Achiaw (Somankwaa Gyaasehene), 

Others were Nana Bafuor Ofosu Agyeman (Kwabere Kenyase Kontihene), and Nana Gyasi Buor Nimako (Mampong Krobo Gyaasehene).

Source - Kofi Marfo (Sir Richie), Sirrichie.com, London.