Hollywood award-winning actor Idris Elba has revealed the rich culture Ghana has and his excitement at being able to witness this up close
In an interview with Stephen Colbert on ‘The Late Show’, Idris Elba expressed “so I showed up in my jeans. They were like, no, ‘you got to wear this kente cloth’. It was a really fascinating day. I mean, it was beautiful and the tradition was rich”
He would continue by adding “So when you meet the king, typically what you have to do is drop the kente cloth shoulder down a little bit and then shake the King’s hand. It’s part of the tradition like a symbol of respect.”
Idris Elba also revealed he was nervous for the first time as he had never met the King and explained his difficulty with wearing the ‘Kente’ which is a ceremonial cloth “This is the first time I’m wearing it and underneath, you just got your shorts on. And my thing kept unravelling. I was like, ‘oh, man, I’m going to meet the king, and it’s going to fall off me and be standing there in my boxers. I did my thing gently. It was actually a really beautiful time. I don’t mean to make fun of it. It was very beautiful”
Idris Elba was invited to the Manhyia Palace to pay his respect to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III during the Akwasidea last month
The Akwasidae (Sacred Sunday) is a celebration which comes off every six weeks at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, Ashanti Region and it is celebrated in remembrance of past kings and various noble feats, it begins from the Asantehene’s throne room and is attended by large crowds in traditional clothing like the royal kente.
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