A day after a city-wide shutdown in honour of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, life has returned to normal in Kumasi’s bustling streets and business districts.
The city, which observed a temporary closure of businesses, banks, and schools, is once again vibrant with activity as traders, buyers, and commuters resumed their daily routines on Friday, September 19, JoyNews’ Emmanuel Bright Quaicoe reported from the Ashanti Region.
The shutdown was a solemn and traditional tribute to the Asantehemaa, a respected figure whose passing has brought the Ashanti Kingdom into a period of mourning.
The directive from the Manhyia Palace ensured that the city’s streets were unusually empty on the day of the burial, with the typical heavy vehicular congestion giving way to a quiet observance of the funeral rites.
The royal burial, known as ‘Dote Yie’ in Asante tradition, is a sacred ceremony that marks the final journey of the Queenmother to the ancestral world.
Despite the temporary disruption to commerce, many residents saw the shutdown as a necessary duty. Transport operators, for example, reported a slowdown in sales but believed it was a sacred tradition they had to observe for the promotion of the Asante culture. This collective willingness to sacrifice a day of economic activity highlights the deep respect the people of Kumasi have for their traditions and the enduring influence of the Asantehene and the Manhyia Palace.
The late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, passed away at the age of 97 after an eight-year reign, leaving behind a legacy of wisdom and cultural stewardship. Her burial rites, a grand display of Asante pageantry, drew tens of thousands of mourners and dignitaries from across Ghana and beyond.
With the solemn rituals now concluded, the commercial heart of the Ashanti Region has been fully re-energized, proving its resilience and unwavering dedication to its cultural heritage.
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