THE FORECOURT of the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, the official seat of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, was besieged by scores of fetish priests on Tuesday morning.
The fetish priests were at the palace to display their antics as part of activities marking the 15th anniversary of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on the Golden Stool.
Drawn from all corners of Asanteman, the historic occasion dubbed ‘Atano Rites,’ saw the fetish priests dancing to traditional tunes as they showcased their supernatural powers.
As at 10:00 am, the entire forecourt of the Manhyia Palace was covered with a sea of curious people from all walks of life to witness the traditional show.
The fetish priests’ huge presence at the Manhyia Palace was to signify their respect for their overlord, the Asantehene.
These fetish priests were seen dancing to traditional tunes as they intermittently conjured money and other items which the colossal crowd craved to lay their hands on.
From their body language, the fetish priests seemed to be competing among themselves as to which of them was most powerful.
The performance of the fetish priests had set the tone for the series of activities lined up to mark 15 years of the Asantehene’s reign which would last some months.
The display of the fetish priests was preceded by a mammoth remembrance service for the late Otumfuo Sir Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II and Nana Ama Serwah Nyarko, a late Asantehemaa.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II ascended the Golden Stool in 1999 when he succeeded the late Otumfuo Opoku Ware II. The Asante Monarch since his enstoolment had chalked massive success.
The Asante King is widely applauded for introducing the Otumfuo Education Fund which has helped brilliant but needy Ghanaian students to pursue their academic dreams.
Otumfuo has also combined modernity and tradition to uplift the image of the Asante throne across the globe and has received several awards across the world for his visionary leadership style.