Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has postponed the 2025 Odwira Festival, originally scheduled for October 31, citing traditional obligations following the passing
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has postponed the 2025 Odwira Festival, originally scheduled for October 31, citing traditional obligations following the passing of the Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III. A new date is yet to be announced.
The decision was formally communicated during a meeting of the Asanteman Council at the Manhyia Palace on October 16, 2025.
Otumfuo explained that according to Asante customs, the Odwira Festival cannot proceed until a successor to the late queen mother is enstooled and the necessary stool rites are performed at Wirempe.
These rites are considered sacred and foundational to the spiritual continuity of the Asante Kingdom, making it imperative to complete them before any major celebration can take place.
Otumfuo emphasised that the funeral of the late Asantehemaa must also be held before the festival resumes.
He noted that the Odwira Festival is not merely a public event but a deeply spiritual and cultural observance that reflects the unity, purification, and renewal of the Asante people.
Proceeding with the festival without fulfilling these rites would violate centuries-old traditions and diminish the solemnity of the occasion.
The indefinite postponement has sparked reflection across Asanteman and beyond, with many acknowledging the importance of preserving cultural integrity.
While the new date remains unannounced, Otumfuo assured the council and the public that it will be communicated at the appropriate time.
The move underscores his commitment to upholding the values and customs of the Ashanti Kingdom, even in the face of modern pressures and expectations.
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