How the Beloved Wife of Asantehene Was Sacrificed for Victory In War
The wife of Asantehene Osei Tutu I had his dear and beloved wife offered as a sacrifice in exchange for the ultimate survival and victory of Asanteman.
This story was recounted by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II while destooling the Queen of Denyase Traditional Area, Nana Adutwiwaa Bonin III over the dishonouring of the Great Oath to indicate that Asanteman stands paramount in all things.
Before proceeding, Otumfuo commanded to be brought in the state an ancient gun named Agyaponmaa.
He then recollected the instance in history where the Asantehene was charged to sacrifice Agyaponmaa, his beloved and dear wife, to emerge victorious in a great war that confronted them.
“He was about to go to war and he was directed to sacrifice his wife for victory and hang her bead around a gun. She was his beloved wife. He loved her dearly above all but then he sacrificed her.”
He noted that despite the favour Denyasehemaa had won in his sight, he could not bring himself to let her continue reigning after flouting the laws surrounding the Great Oath.
His Majesty indicated that prior to her invocation of the oath, he had given her numerous chances to refrain but to no avail, thus necessitating her to face the consequences.
“If we decide to let her go scot-free, who else will we apply this to?”
He then told the Council, “You seated me here and before that, you charged me with the responsibility of supervising the affairs of Asanteman with truth and honesty. You told me the Golden Stool and the Great Oath are my properties which must be safeguarded. You told me I have no mother, sibling or friend but the Great Oath and the Golden Stool. If our feet are not firmly positioned, the essence of our tradition and culture will be lost.”
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
