Night of silence: curfew in Kumasi for Asantehemaa’s final journey
All residents of Asanteman are required to remain indoors tomorrow night, September 18, as the late Asantehemaa, Nana Konadu Yiadom III, is laid to rest at the royal mausoleum in Breman, Kumasi.
As decreed by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asanteman, especially the capital, Kumasi, will fall silent in accordance with Asante customs and traditions.
The internment will conclude four days of Dote Yie (burial rites) for the 14th Asantehemaa, who passed away at the age of 97.
Directives
During the announcement made at the Manhyia Palace on August 21, 2025, while observing one week of mourning for the queen, a senior linguist of the Asantehene, Baffour Kantankyakyi, instructed that there should be no human movement during the night. He stated, “Asanteman will go completely silent. No shops will be opened. There will be no travel or human movement. The remains of our revered Asantehemaa will be conveyed to Bantama during the night. It is important that no one is met on the way, as doing so will be at the person’s own peril. Late at night, the remains will be moved in solemn procession to the final resting place in Breman.”
Burial service
Regarding the burial service, there will be a memorial service at Dwabrem earlier in the day, which will be attended by President John Dramani Mahama, the Asantehene, and other dignitaries.
The President announced last week that, God willing, he will be in Kumasi to pay his last respects to the Asantehemaa. This announcement came after the Asantehene sent a delegation to formally invite him to the burial rites at the Jubilee House.
