THE UNIQUE RITUALS OF DENKYIRA

Denkyira has unique rituals and customs which are not known to the rest of other Akan State. One of the rituals which is not commonly practiced by even the Denkyiras is that in Denkyira traditional rituals, it’s only the Abrafoɔ (executioners) who get so close to the King when sitting in state during public ceremonies.

The Abrafoɔ pay homage and recant the “ntam” (the struggles and bad omens of the kingdom’s ancestry), which words invoke bit of discomfort to the king, making him wear a sad face. The King should be sad and not happy as depicted in the picture. He is not playing with him. This performance is always followed with mmentia (called NTAHERA in Denkyira etymology) appellations with rythmic movements by the abrafo while exhibiting the executioner’s sword to remind the King of his heritage (Atetetire).

Another narrative is that this ritual performance followed a certain history of the Kingdom to test subsequent Kings if they can be distracted by ANYTHING during wars (I have not authenticated this narrative).

It’s one of the rare ritual performance you’d like to experience but looks scary at the same time.

Denkyira yɛ Akan ammamerɛ nyinaa fie.

*Kuro yirifa! Agona Piesie Ɔdɛɛfoɔ Boa Amponsem IV (Denkyiramanhene)*

*Yɛɛka yɛn Denkyirasɛm. Wo nso ka wodeɛ.*

Piawwww!✌️✌️✌️