Thousands of people from all corners of the Asante Kingdom have gathered at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi to commemorate the invasion and brutal attack on the Kingdom by soldiers of the British colonialist, 150 years ago.
The Sargrenti War, which was fought in 1874 between the British forces under the command of Sir Garnet Wolseley and the Asantes, saw the destruction of the Manhyia Palace and the stealing of hundreds of creative objects such as gold bars, silver ornaments, artworks, paintings, and other priceless artifacts from the palace.
Many people, including chiefs and Asante warriors, were killed and the Manhyia Palace was burnt during the invasion.
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The durbar, christened ‘Kuntunkuni,’ (Black traditional mourning cloth) is part of activities marking the 25th Anniversary celebrations of the installation of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, as the 16th occupant of the Golden Stool.
It is to solemnly remember the war and mourn the gallant soldiers and people who died during the colonial brutality.
Chiefs from all paramountcies, divisions, towns and clans of Asanteman, clad in ‘Kuntunkuni,’ the traditional mourning cloth of the Asantes, as well as people from the various towns and communities, are participating in the durbar, interspersed with dirges, war songs, fetish incantations, ritual performances and other traditional activities.
