Golden Stool to be on display at Otumfuo’s Silver Jubilee

Going by tradition, the revered Golden Stool (Sika Dwa Kofi) of the Asante Kingdom, will be on display at the grand durbar to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the enthronement of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on May 12, 2024.

Regarded as the symbol of power of the Asante Kingdom, the Golden Stool comes into public view only on special occasions. The last time it came into public view was during the 20th anniversary of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, which was held at Dwabrem of the Manhyia Palace.

Importance
According to oral tradition, Okomfo Anokye, the High Priest, conjured the Golden Stool, decorated with golden bells, and caused it to descend from the sky where it landed at the feet of Osei Tutu I, the first Asantehene.

The Stool, made of gold, stands 18 inches high, 24 inches long, and 12 inches wide. It is never allowed to touch the ground and is considered so sacred that no one is allowed to sit on it. Each new Asante king is lowered and raised over the Golden Stool without touching it. No one could be considered a legitimate ruler without the Golden Stool, which usually occupied its own throne next to the Asantehene.

Grand durbar
According to the Juabenhene, Nana Otuo Siriboe II, the chairman of the 18-member Planning Committee for the 25th anniversary grand durbar has been pushed to May 12, 2024 to coincide with Akwasidaekese.

The durbar, which will be the high point of the anniversary, will be held at the Baba Yara Stadium. On Friday, May 6, a Thanksgiving Service will be held.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the 16th Asantehene, ascended the Golden Stool on April 26, 1999. On that momentous occasion, Barima Kwaku Dua, as he was then called, held in his right hand the Busumuru sword, and with his kuntunkuni ( black cloth) dropped to his chest, swore the oath of Asante to be faithful to his people.