The Ashanti people of Ghana commemorate Adae Kese as a significant holiday. It is the largest of all the Adae celebrations, which are held to honor the Ashanti Kingdom’s ancestors every six weeks.
Once a year, typically in August or September, the Adae Kese festival is observed. The Ashanti people observe this occasion to honor their ancestors and ask for their blessings for the upcoming year. The celebration is celebrated by a variety of activities and ceremonies, such as washing the ancestors’ stools, pouring libations, and making offerings to the dead.
The event opens with the sound of traditional music and the fire of muskets. The Asantehene (the Ashanti Kingdom’s Paramount Chief) and his entourage then make their way to the palace courtyard, where they are greeted by the kingdom’s chiefs and populace. The Ashanti Kingdom’s emblem, the Golden Stool, is then seated beneath the Asantehene, who is subsequently shown respect by his subjects.
The festival’s highlight is a vibrant procession through the streets that is headed by the Asantehene and his sub-chiefs and features singing, dancing, and drumming. The participants are dressed in traditional regalia and attire, which is frequently vividly colored and embellished with elaborate patterns.
The Golden Stool, which is thought to hold the soul of the Ashanti Kingdom, is among the royal regalia on display during the celebration. The Golden Stool is rarely displayed for the general public to see.
Overall, the Adae Kese festival is a significant cultural occasion for the Ashanti people and a wonderful chance for tourists to get a taste of the Ashanti Kingdom’s rich cultural legacy.