Asantehemaa Dɔte Yie: How Today’s Final Burial Rites Will Unfold

The final day of the burial rites has arrived and will witness the laying to rest of Nana Konadu Yiadom III, Asantehemaa, with her ancestors at the royal mausoleum at Breman Abusuakruwa.

The Presidency, Former Presidents, Former Vice Presidents, Diplomatic Corps and the General Public will have the opportunity to pay their last respects in the morning.

They will then participate in a burial service at the forecourts of the Manhyia Palace, which will take place after the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has performed the final rites for the Queen to be laid in her royal casket.

“Otumfuo will ride in a palanquin to the residence of Asantehemaa to perform the needed rites before Asantehemaa will be laid in a casket decorated with gold and silver, then we will bring her to the park for a burial service which will end around 4 pm,” a linguist of the Asantehene, Baffour Kantankrankyi, told Opemsuo Radio.

After exchanging pleasantries and extending appreciation to the guests, the Queen will be carried back to her residence to await her burial deep in the night.

At 9 pm, Her Majesty will be transported to Bantama Baamu for some rituals that will last till midnight.

She will then be taken to Breman Baamu at Abusuakruwa, which will be her final resting place.

His Majesty will return to the Manhyia Palace from there to perform the traditional kete dance with his traditional wives {Aheneyere} from 2 am till 4 am and then send them away with traditional drinks.

At 5 am that Friday, which is a Fofie, Otumfuo will undergo a purification rite before he can wear white cloths.

“Prior to that, His Majesty cannot wear white outfits.”

The burial rites locally known as Dɔte Yie commenced on 15th September, 2025.

Story by Hajara Fuseini