The weeklong burial rites of the Asantehemaa Nana Afia Serwaa Kobi Ampem II has begun in earnest at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

Traditional rulers, Asanteman traditional council will join the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei II to file past the body later this morning.

The Asante King will also receive condolences from the public whereas the Amanhene from the provinces such as Worawora in the Volta region, Denkyira in the Central region among others will pay homage to him.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former President John Dramani Mahama and other dignitaries are expected to commiserate with Otumfuo.

Rituals are ongoing and executioners are spotted firing their musketeers.

Nurses and doctors have being stationed at various locations to reach out to people who will be involved in any casualties.

Security has also been stepped up with armed men deployed to various locations in and around the palace to forestall any untoward circumstances.

Lots of sympathisers are trooping into Manhyia amidst the display of the rich Asante culture.

Speaking on Ultimate Breakfast Show hosted by Lantam Papanko, Historian Dr Wilhemina Donkor explained that tradition priests have been performing rituals, saying it is believed that the ground is hard and that they have to perform to soften the ground for the mortal remains of the queen mother to be laid to rest.

According to her, the performance of certain rituals is to ward of negative spiritual plans of some persons who will visit the palace under the guise of mourning with the Royal King but are bent on causing harm to people.

‘Traditionally, just like it is done when any royal dies, there are certain rites that take place, and so Nanahemaa has to also go through that rituals, and here they receive bathing items for her bath from all the royal in-laws. That was one of the important rites that was performed yesterday, purifying and preparing her for the next world that will be her last bath on this earth,’ she explained.

The Former Lecturer with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)indicated that the thirteenth queen mother will be dressed with gold ornaments to be recognised in the other world.

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