Some chiefs and queen mothers of Asanteman have incurred the wrath of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, over the past few weeks for taking the ‘Ntamkesie’, which translates as “The Great Oath”.

The Paramount Chief of Wirempe (Wirepehene), Nana Opia Mensah, was destooled by the Asantehene on Monday, September 2, 2024, after the king slammed him for taking the great oath.

The Paramount Queen Mother of Denyase (Denyasehemaa) was also slammed by the Asantehene when the king affirmed that she was not a royal.

At the Asanteman Council sitting on September 2, 2024, the Asantehene decried the reckless use of the Ntamkesie by his sub-chiefs.

He said that the Great Oath was not a thing to joke with, recounting the circumstances that led to the institution of the oath.

He said that the oath was instituted during the reign of the late Otumfuo Osei Tutu, at a time when the late king was going through great pain and distress because he had no successor, as all his nephews kept dying.

What the Apamkesie is:

The Asantehene said, according to opemsuo.com, that the sister of Otumfuo Osei Tutu was married to Amakomhene Adu Panin.

However, the first two children they produced died, which left the Asantehene distressed as he feared he might not have a nephew to succeed him.

The priest of the Asante Kingdom intervened in the matter, and the Asantehene got his successor when the third male child of his sister survived.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu indicated that it was at that point that the Great Oath of the Asantehene was established.

The Ntamkesie is a solemn vow that is invoked purposely to affirm one’s innocence in a matter or ownership.

Before the Asantehene hears a case in which the oath was invoked, some rituals must be performed first. Any traditional leader who swears by the oath but is found guilty would lose his position.

BAI/AE

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