Otumfuo Opoku Ware II in Akwamu./Juabenman Affairs

On the 50th anniversary celebration of the enstoolment of the Akwamuhene, Nana Kwafo Akoto II, Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, the Asantehene (1970 - 199 ) honoured the Chiefs and people of Akwamu with a visit. Here, Otumfuo exchanges traditional greetings with the Akwamuhene at Akwamufie. This was in the 1980s. Otumfuo, is on the right of the picture, in the multi-coloured applique cloth.

Nana Opoku Ware II, Okatakyie, Oworo kawa fa batire, sitting in state during the Odwira festival of Asante in 1985. This occasion was also used to mark the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the Asante Confederacy. Odwira, originally the most important and annual festival of Asante, from the time of King Osei Tutu I, is now rarely celebrated in Asante. Traditionally and correctly, in Asante, apart from the Asantehene, only premier Asante rulers like the Juabenhene, Mamponghene, Asumegyahene, Kumawuhene, Kokofuhene, Nsutahene, Bekwaihene have the right to celebrate the Odwira festival in their own right. During the time of Nana Prempeh I, under Nana Yaa Akyaa's machinations, Offinso and Ejisu were after having been elevated, accorded this right.

The Juabenhene (Dwabenhene), Okyerefo) Otuo Serebour II, at an Adaekesee festival in Kumasi. 1991.

Daasebre Otuo Serebour
Dwaben Adu Ampoforo Antwi Konkorihene
Aketewa Nnam Brempong, asumakum, pepa w'anim ma yen nkoe3
Okyekyere akro brempong a odi ne man nam
Ayoko) Sakyiapoma nana Yokoni,
Osansa fa adie, ode kyer3
Ofa ne bum

Aberewa Ampem Ohye adwer3 Nana Asumegyani
Adaakwa Yiadom Brempong
Osagyefuo Katabaako a Okotwasuo Barima
Akuamoa Nana firi Dwaben D3eboase
Osesekeredu Akomea a okoforo kwasampire buo
Na oresanee3 osi n)nsore3 so)
Oteng Boafo Kohweakwa a ohu dom sere3
Akuamoa Kotoko adi a ode mmogye3 di akoro

Osei Hwede3 Brempon
Dwaben Serebo) nua
Okwafrako a odi aye3 ne mmere atifi agoro
Osaforo Poku agye din nana
Ntiri Agyekum kyeredom ako sakyi a odi oko mu akotene

Okode3 Akrase Sabratoo
Opasakyie Bommofuo a oko kyere Basa Subiri
Kyere Aberewa Temaa
Kyere Sasabonsam a ote Samang
Gye na abasobodie de bo ne pam nana Agyeman
Kofi Tuo Berempon
Oserebuo Sakyi a, )we dade3 amono amono
Okyerefuo Kofi Tuo a ode twer3buo si ne bo nana, Daasebre Otuo Serebour
Dwabenman dawase dawase
Da wa se aburu
Da wa se ahenewa

Credit: The Adu Boahen Reader, By Toyin Falola

Credit: The Adu Boahen Reader, By Toyin Falola, Ntahera Horn Sayings of Juaben

Odeneho Kwafo Akoto II, The Late Akwamuhene, At Akwamufie. Akwamu was once a powerful and prosperous Kingdom which exercised rulership of much of the present day Eastern region of Ghana, Accra and as far as present day Benin area. It's former capital was Nyanoaso near present day Nsawam. Infact most of the people thereof, i.e Nsawam, to Aburi, to Asamankese and most other places in the Eastern region are of Akwamu descent.

Osekyerehene Otuo Serebour II, arriving at a function in Kumasi, 2008.

Kwadwom Verse ( Minstrel Chant ) of Juaben and Kumasi. Credit: The Adu Boahen Reader

The Co-Ruler of New Juaben, Nana Yaa Daani II, at a function in Libya.

King Osei Agyeman Prempeh II, Sitting In State.



Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, (1970- 1999) at the Silver Jubilee celebration of his ascension to the Abandwa.

The Dwabenhene exchanges greetings with the Asantehemaa at a Kumasi ceremony. 2008

The Ruler of New Juaben Sitting In State


Osekyerehene and Asantehene exchange greetings.

From the Adu Boahen Reader authored by Toyin Falola.

The Late Asumegyahene, Odeneho Oduro Numapau II. The Asumegyahene is the Benkumhene of Asante.

The Late Kumawuhene, Barima Asumadu Sakyi II. Kumawu is one of Premier Asante States of High Rank.

Swordbearers of the Kumawuhene. Credit: M.D.McLeod.

Credit: For Depiction of Cloth Wearing Style, Kumasi Cultural Centre. For Description: Centre For National Culture

The Queen of New Juaben---Nana Yaa Dani II----with sub-queens, courtiers and attendants at a ceremony. Standing and speaking is the Adahemaa of New Juaben.

Female Royals of Juaben/Asante, in mourning regalia. This was at the burial/funeral of Nana Akosua Akyaamaa II, the late Queen of Juaben.

A senior female Royal of Juaben, and mother of one of the Queens of Juaben/New Juaben,
at the funeral of the late Queen of Juaben, Nana Akosua Akyaamaa II.

Adosoa procession in New Juaben. This was at the funeral of Nana Kwaku Boateng II. A part of the New Juaben Ahenfie appears in the background.

Some umbrella finials of Juaben State. Credit: The Gold of the Akan, by Doran H Ross.

Credit: The Adu Boahen Reader by Toyin Falola

A state sword of Juaben, with a symbol, depicting a pivotal moment in its history. By that singular act of a warrior of Dwaben, Asanteman came to stand.

From the Adu Boahen Reader by Toyin Falola.

Nana Oti Boateng I, The New Juabenhene On Visit To Libya.

The Dwabenhene. Okyerefuo Otuo Serebour II, Sitting in State Early In His Reign ( 1971 - )

Otumfuo Opoku Ware II.

Osagyefuo Ataa Birago II, The Late Kokofuhemaa.(Queen of Kokofu)

Nana Opoku Ware II, in the latter days of his reign.

Credit: The late Nana Abayie Boateng of Asonomaso. Nana Da Yie.

Daasebre Oti Boateng I, walking in state.

Osekyerehene Otuo Serebour II, Dwabenhene, sitting in state at a durbar in Koforidua, New Juaben.

Osekyerehene Otuo Serebour II, Dwabenhene, sitting in state at a durbar in Koforidua, New Juaben.

Nana Serebour II, at an Adaekese durbar in Kumasi. 2004

Nana Serebour II, at an Adaekese durbar in Kumasi. 2004 Note. This picture is laterally inverted. That is, in its proper form, facing the picture, the right should be on the left and vice versa. Credit: GRi

The Juabenhene, Nana Otuo Serebour II.

The Juabenhene, Nana Otuo Serebour II.


The Nseniehene of Juaben, now in New Juaben, at court, in his distinctive headgear known as Adomasa Kye. He is the head of the heralds of the Juabenhene.

The Juabenhene, Nana Otuo Serebour II at an Akwantukese durbar in Koforidua.

Nana Juabenhene, sitting in state in Koforidua

The late Kumawuhene, Barima Asumadu Sakyi II, at the Akwantukese festival.

Nana Otuo (on the left) and Nana Oti(on the right) sitting in state . This emphasises that Juabenman is one, irrespective of the alien tags, Old and New.
Had it not been for historical exigencies, Juaben, would have been as of old. One, indivisible, highly populated, rich and powerful.

The Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, borne in the Sako, at a durbar in Kumasi, recently.2008 Nana is now of an advanced age.

The Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, sitting in state at an Adaekesie festival.

The Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, sitting in state at an Adaekesie festival. 1991

The Oyokohene of Asante,( Head of the Royal Oyoko Clan of Ashanti), Nana Juabenhene Otuo Serebour II arrives in Kumasi, at the burial of one of the Royals of the Golden Stool. The potent smoke of the burning smoke, cleanses the path ahead of Ruler, spiritually.

The dynastic head of Asante, Osekyerehene Otuo Serebour II, arrives at the funeral grounds in Kumasi. On such occasions, the Juabenhene only proceeds to the funeral grounds once the Asantehene has taken his seat and the appropriate swords of state/linguists have been despatched to him, to request his prescence. This practice, is unique only to the Ruler of Juaben. None else, in Asante, may do so.

Osekyerehene, cometh.

The nsumankwaa of Juaben, clearing the path (spiritually) ahead of Nana Juabenhene. This done by burning potent herbs and incenses. Spiritually, this's a force to reckon with.

On the first day, the Royal of the Golden Stool was laid in state, mourners wear black. Here, the Family Head of the Golden Stool, Okoforobuo Serebour II, arrives at the ceremony in Kumasi.

Daasebre Otuo Serebour II, arrives at the funeral ceremony in Kumasi.

The late Juabenhene, Nana Yaw Sarpong II, Uncle of the current Juabenhene, Nana Serebour II, and his predecessor.

The New Juaben Delegation In Libya. Nana Yaa Daani II (New Juabenhemaa) is on the extreme right, followed by in a leftward sweep, Nana Akosua Afrakoma II (Adwamponhemaa) and Nana Ampofoa, the Santanhemaa.

Daasebre Oti Boateng I, receiving a National Award In Accra. Ampa, Juabenfo) mo aben ampa.Nananom you make all Juabens proud.

New Juaben Chiefs In Libya. From the right in a leftward sweep is the Abesimhene (Osahene), Nana Adaakwa, in the Adinkera cloth. Followed by the Mmorontuohene and Ayokuohene of New Juaben ( A senior divisional chief ) Barima Okyere Boateng, another chief and an Okyeame of New Juaben. Credit: Imperial Africa

Other chiefs of New Juaben with Queen Sheba-ra of Imperial Africa, at a conference in Libya.

Atumtufuo (Gun-bearers/warriors) of Juaben, now domiciled in New Juaben/Koforidua. In times gone by, the forebears of these, were a formidable fighting force, who distinguished themselves in many a battle.

Daasebre Oti Boateng I, proceeding to a durbar grounds.

The Ruler/Occupant of the Adu Ampoforo Antwi Great Stool of New Juaben

At the Great Funeral of Nana Juaben Serwaa II, former Queen of New Juaben. The Rulers of New Juaben, Juaben and Bekwai sat in state to mourn. Daasebre Oti Boateng is on immediate right, Nana Otuo Serebour in the middle and Nana Karikari Appau, follows on from Nana Otuo. Other Ayoko chiefs such as the Mmorontuohene and Mpampamahene of New Juaben( with red clay stripes across the forehead) are in the upper left corner of the picture.

Nana Juabenhene

Nana Akosua Akyaamaa III, Juabenhemaa sitting in state.

Nana Juabenhemaa, proceeding in state, surrounded by courtiers.

Nana Kofi Serebour I, Juabenhene and Nana Akosua Akyaamaa I, Juabenhemaa with one of the Gold embellished stools of Juaben. Behind is a stool attendant, wielding a gun. Credit Rattray, 1921. Nana Serebour I, did much to rebuild Juaben and its attendant prestige, after the conflict of 1874...which after having initially gone the way of Juaben initially, was lost, owing to the machinations of the British, which prevented the resupply of gunpowder to the battle hardened forces of Juaben.

The Dwabenhemaa, Queen of Dwaben, at a ceremony in Kumasi.

Nana Juabenhemaa, sitting in state at a durbar in Koforidua, New Juaben.

The Queen of Dwaben, and Head of the Asuminamu Division of Juabenman, taking regal steps.

Nana Juabenhemaa. Credit: GRi and Agoo Magazine.

Nana Juabenhene and Nana Juabenhemaa at a ceremony in Juaben. 2007. Credit: Agoo Magazine

The Queen of Asante, Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, in the early days of her reign.

Top: The Queen of Juaben at a durbar in Kumasi. Above: The Queen of Juaben, in Kente, with the late Queen of New Juaben, Nana Juaben Serwaa II, in white cloth, at a durbar in Koforidua.

The present Queen of New Juaben, Nana Yaa Daani II.

The Queen of New Juaben, at a ceremony in Koforidua (capital of New Juaben)

Nana Oti Boateng I, Ruler of New Juaben, takes leave of the funeral grounds. Funeral of Nana Juaben Serwaa II.2007

The Female Co-Ruler of New Juaben at a ceremony in Accra, Ghana.

The Juabenhene, in funeral regalia at the funeral of Nana Juaben Serwah II in Koforidua, New Juaben.

Nana Juabenhene, sitting in state, during the burial of a Senior Royal of Juaben, Opanin Yaw Boakye, of Boakye Mattress Fame.

Osekyerehene sits in state at a Kuntunkunidae in Kumase.

The New Juabenhene at the funeral of the former Queen of the area.

The Bekwaihene ( A Royal of Juaben, of the same family stock), at the funeral of Nana Juaben Serwaa II, in Koforidua, New Juaben.

At an Adae ceremony in Dwaben, the Dwabenhene appears at the Dabekese3, with the Gold embellished swords of state, borne before him. 1980s. Credit: Ifa..Hawaii.

Nana Juabenhene at an Adae Ceremony in Juaben. Standing behind him are the Kwadwomfuo (Minstrels) and short horn blowers (Mmentia-hyen-fuo). Sitting, to his immediate left is the late Queen of Juaben, Nana Akosua Akyaamaa II. 1980s. Credit: IFA, Hawaii

Nana Dwabenhene surroundered by courtiers about to proceed to a sitting. 1980s

Adae ceremony in Juaben.

An courtier takes to the floor, to the tunes of Kete.

Nana Otuo Serebour II, The Dwabenhene wearing the Batakarikesee ( Warrior Apparel of Dwaben). This potent war dress was used to great effect in the past by previous Juaben Kings.

The Dwabenhemaa (Queen of Dwaben), consoles the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at a funeral in Kumasi.

The maidens of New Juaben, in gold regalia at an Akwantukese festival. 2002

A Queen grieves. The Juabenhemaa at the burial of one of the prominent Royals of Juaben and Asante: Barima Yaw Boakye aka. Boakye Mattress.

The Queen of New Juaben, Nana Yaa Daani II, at the burial of Boakye Mattress.

Nana Juabenhemaa in a pensive mood at the funeral of Nana Juaben Serwaa II in Koforidua, New Juaben. 2007. Credit: GRi

Nana Yaa Daani II, the prinicpal mourner at the funeral of her predecessor, Nana Juaben Serwaa II of New Juaben, in Koforidua.2007 Credit: GRi

Nana Adwoa Pinamang III, the Bekwaihemaa(Queen of Bekwai) at the funeral of Nana Juaben Serwaa II. The Queen of Bekwai, as a blood relation, had to be at the funeral.

Daasebre Otuo Serebour II, at a ceremony in Koforidua.

Nana Akosua Akyaamaa II, Queen of Juaben(1969-1994), sitting in state.

Nana Juaben Serwaa II, Juabenhene, sitting in state. 1950s-60s.

The Juaben King and Queen, with some courtiers and stool properties. 1920s. Credit:Rattray

The Queen of New Juaben--infront--and the Queen of Juaben arriving at a burial ceremony in Kumasi. 2007

The retinue of the Juaben Queen.

The Ruler of New Juaben, Daasebre Oti Boateng I, borne aloft in a palanquin, just exiting the Boaten Ahenfie of New Juaben. Nana is surroundered by numerous courtiers of state.

Nana Juaben Serwaa II (Nana Akosua Agyeman), the Late Queen of New Juaben. Nana crossed the Great River in 1999 after a long reign on the female stool of New Juaben.

Nana Akosua Akyaamaa III, Dwabenhemaa, at one of ceremonies to do with the funeral of Otumfuo Opoku Ware II. 2000

Nana Yaa Daani II, performing the Kete dance.

The Juabenhene then, Nana Juaben Serwaa II at a function in Accra, in Nkrumah's time. On her left is Madam Fathia Nkrumah.

The Adwamponhemaa of New Juaben, Nana Akosua Afrakomaa II.

The Adwamponhemaa, Nana Afrakomaa II

A courtier of New Juaben, with some swords of state. One, on the left has gold abosodie of the funtunfunafu ne denkyemfunafu design and the other on the right, a gold replica of a crocodile.

The Santanhemaa of New Juaben, Nana Ampofoa. On her left is the Santanhene of New Juaben.

The Ntahera hornblowers of Juaben, heralding the arrival of the Juabenhene at a durbar in Kumasi.

The Nseniehene of Juaben--now domiciled in Koforidua, New Juaben. Behind him are the asokwafo) of New Juaben, with the original set of the Juaben Ntahera.