GHANA: Ghanians celebrate the 10th anniversary of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II's ascending of the Golden Stool

Record ID: 817892

  • Title: GHANA: Ghanians celebrate the 10th anniversary of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II's ascending of the Golden Stool
  • Date: 29th April 2009
  • Summary: WIDE OF PROCESSION OF ELDERS AND OTUMFUO OSEI TUTU II MAN CARRING AND A BLACK ORNAMENT
  • Embargoed: 14th May 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Ghana
  • Country: Ghana
  • Topics: Royalty
  • Reuters ID: LVADS9V4SOLXLFOH74IN8NB1CXNS
  • Story Text: The Ashanti people hold "Durbar", celebrate 10 years of the reign of King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in attempt to raise the profile of an ancient and integral part of West African society.
    Legend has it that a golden chair floated out of the sky and landed in the lap of the first King of the Ashanti, known as the Asantehene. Ever since, the Ashanti king has ascended to the golden stool - rather than a throne.
    This week the Ashanti population in Ghana marks the 10th anniversary of their current king, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II ascending to the stool - and a grand gathering, or
    "Durbar" over the weekend, marked the occassion.
    Thousands of Ghanaians and guests from across the globe joined in to celebrate with the king.
    Present at the ceremony was President John Atta Mills, former heads of state and governments; including former Prime Minister of Spain, Jose Maria Aznar, and former presidents Jerry John Rawlings of Ghana, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Festus Gontebanye Mogae of Botswana and Ahmed Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leones.
    Otumfour Osei Tutu II, nephew of the previous king, was "enstooled" in 1999. One of his missions since that date has been to keep the Ashanti culture alive.
    The golden stool which is normally taken out on such occasions was not brought out this time.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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