The Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, and his wife joined the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and members of the Ghanaian community in the United States for an Akwasidae celebration held at Bowie State University in Maryland over the weekend.
The event transformed the university campus into a vibrant display of Ghanaian culture, with hundreds of members of the Ghanaian community travelling from different parts of the United States to participate in the celebration.
Dressed in colourful traditional attire, including rich Kente fabrics, the gathering paid homage to the Asantehene and celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the Asante people.
Akwasidae is one of the most significant traditional observances of the Asante people and is celebrated every six weeks on a Sunday.
The festival provides an occasion to honour ancestors, celebrate the Asantehene and pay homage to the Golden Stool, which holds deep spiritual and historical significance for the Asante people.
The occasion traditionally brings together chiefs, sub-chiefs, royals, subjects and dignitaries to demonstrate allegiance to the Asantehene while celebrating Asante history and cultural identity.
A major highlight of the celebration in Maryland was the participation of Governor Moore and his wife. The Governor paid homage to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II during the grand durbar, underscoring the growing cultural ties between Maryland and Ghana.
In a post on his X account, Governor Moore expressed his excitement about joining the Asantehene and the Ghanaian community to mark the occasion.
“Every sixth Sunday, Kumasi holds Akwasidae, a sacred Akan festival honoring ancestors, the king, and the golden stool that is believed to hold the soul of the Ashanti people,” he said.
“I’m overjoyed to celebrate with His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the 16th king of the Asante Kingdom, to begin African Heritage Month.”
The celebration offered members of the Ghanaian diaspora an opportunity to reconnect with their heritage while showcasing Ghanaian traditions and customs to the wider American community.
The presence of the Maryland Governor and other dignitaries further elevated the event, which combined traditional Asante rituals, royal protocol, music, colourful clothing and communal celebration.
For the Ghanaian community in the United States, the Akwasidae celebration also served as a reminder of the enduring connection between Ghanaians abroad and their cultural roots.
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