We now know the real reason Otumfour decided to forbid Dormaahene from going to Berekumhene’s funeral. The Berekum Traditional Council made the funeral plans public when the Berekumhene passed away.
The timetable called for the Dormaahene to attend the burial ceremonies on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, accompanied by representatives of the Bono Regional and National Houses of Chiefs, where the Dormaahene serves as President.
Conversely, the Asantehene, who holds the highest authority in Berekum, was scheduled to attend the burial on Thursday, November 23, 2023. Rest assured, Ghbase will provide all the intricate details surrounding this matter.
Traditionally, the Asantehene, also known as Otumfuo, is the final person to attend the burial of a Berekumhene since the Berekumhene owes allegiance to the Golden Stool, – Asanteman.
The Berekum Traditional Council has provided an explanation for why the Dormaahene were prohibited from participating in the funeral rites of the late Berekumhene, Daasebre Dr. Amankona Diawuo II.
The Dormaahene and other chiefs were originally supposed to attend the funeral on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, according to the Berekum Traditional Council’s itinerary. The Dormaahene, however, chose not to travel that day since he thought Wednesdays were not the best days for travel. Rather, he made the decision to go to the funeral on Thursday, November 23, 2023, the next day.
Interestingly, this was the same day that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, was also expected to be present at the funeral. This decision by the Dormaahene raised concerns within the council, as it had the potential to disrupt peace and result in clashes between the two chiefs. Consequently, the council made the decision to pursue legal action in order to prevent the Dormaahene from attending the funeral on the same day as the Asantehene.
Also, if the two chiefs clashed, the Dormaahene would not have been recognised when the Otumfuo sits in state and as such, the Berekum Traditional Council did not want to embarrass Dormaahene because he is a paramount chief and the leader of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs.
How court stopped Dormaahene from attending funeral
Following a court order from the Sunyani High Court on Wednesday (Nov 22), the Dormaahene was restrained from attending the funeral on Thursday (Nov 23) due to concerns about potential unrest.
The court order was issued in response to an application made by a member of the Berekum Traditional Council, Osabarima Kyere Yeboah Darteh II. Despite the scheduled attendance of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on the same day, the Dormaahene decided to proceed with attending the burial rites.
The Berekum community, recognizing the potential for unrest, took legal action to prevent his attendance. The funeral arrangements initially stated that the Dormaahene and members of the Bono Regional and National Houses of Chiefs, of which he is the President, were to attend the burial rites on Wednesday, November 22, while the Asantehene, who holds authority over Berekum, was to attend on Thursday, November 23.
Traditionally, the Asantehene is the final person to attend the burial of a Berekumhene, as the Berekumhene owes allegiance to the Golden Stool – Asanteman.
However, to the surprise of the Berekum Traditional Council, the Dormaahene chose to attend the funeral at the same time as the Asantehene, prompting the council to seek legal intervention to prevent potential clashes, given the recent tensions between the Dormaahene and Asantehene.
