Why the Asantehene bathes with water from the River Tano once every year – Obiri Boahen

Did you know that every Asantehene is supposed to have a ritual bath with water from the Tano River, which flows for 400 kilometers from Traa in the Bono East Region to the Aby Lagoon in Ivory Coast, once every year?

Lawyer Nana Obiri Boahen, in an interview with the Xpress Media Network, explained the history behind this ritual.

He shared that every Asantehene in the Ashanti Kingdom has bathed with water from the River Tano once every year since 1717, and the water must come from a specific section of the river – Tano Obuasi.

He mentioned that the ritual originated after it was discovered that the river possessed a powerful force when communities along the river aided the Ashantis in winning the 1717 war.

“When the Ashantis were preparing to fight the Jameriwa war in 1717, the people of Tepa, Buadeduro, Tanoso, Tsumpuduo, Tano, Boatsiniwa, all supported the Ashantis.

“Therefore, since 1717, anyone who holds the title of Asanteman is required to bathe with water from the Tano River once every year. They collect water from the river for him to use, and they fetch it from Tano Obuasi,” he explained in Twi.

He noted that the river contains powerful spirits, and only at its banks in Tano Obuasi can curses from potent deities be reversed.

“The River Tano holds a spirit. It is even challenging to see the river alongside Bosomtwe… if someone curses you with Antoa and you wish to reverse it, you can only do so at Tano Obuasi,” he emphasized.

View his comments in the video below (starting at 9:00):

source: Ghana Web