The story
Adae Kese Festival in Kumasi
Adae Kese, the Grand Adae, is the rarest observance in the Asante ceremonial calendar, held only occasionally rather than on the routine forty-two-day Adae cycle. Tradition ties its founding to Asantehene Osei Tutu I and Okomfo Anokye after the Battle of Feyiase, and it expands into a full state celebration in Kumasi with a large durbar of chiefs, Odwira purification rites and yam-harvest thanksgiving.
Adae Kese, the Grand Adae, is the rarest and most elaborate observance in the Asante ceremonial calendar, held only a handful of times each generation rather than on the routine forty-two-day rhythm that governs the kingdom's regular Adae ceremonies.