Why Asantehene Changed Outfit Prior to Administration of Oath of Allegiance at Asanteman Council Meeting

At the first Asanteman Council meeting of the year on January 13, 2025, the King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II made an appearance in a traditional outfit as always.

He was clad in a brown cloth with horizontal strips of kente designs.

In the same outfit, the Asantehene delivered his welcome remarks which featured the agenda for the year, cautionary statements and more.

His Majesty also looked into the case of Bobriase over which he constituted a committee made up of Nana Okoh Agyemang Boakye, Techirehene, Nana Poku Ware, Anyinasehene and Baffour Kwaku Amoateng IV, Otumfuo Kyeame to undertake further investigation.

It was observed that right after this, before the next agenda- oath of allegiance- was called, Otumfuo excused himself from the venue of the Council meeting.

Second Outfit
His Majesty returned in a black outfit with a crisscross pattern of rhombuses in red, white, green and yellow colours.

Another captivating aspect of the appearance of the King this time around was an ancient kufi hat he wore.

When the King took his seat the second time, the Denyasehene and Nkoranzahene were separately called to take the oath of allegiance.

Reason
The change in outfit by the Asantehene prior to an oath of allegiance is an uncommon practice.

It happens only when the chief taking the oath holds some special authority within the Asante Kingdom.

Apart from the Denyasehene and Nkoranzahene, other paramount and sub-chiefs whose oath-taking may warrant this practice include the Nsutahene, Mamponghene, Juabenhene, Otumfuo Buabasa, Bantamahene, and Tafohene.

In addition to the change in attire, the King was ‘equipped’ with traditional and customary regalia as part of the preparations to receive the oath.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini