People attend the official ceremony following the death of Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II, the 13th queen mother of the Asante Kingdom (Asantehemaa), in Kumasi.
Kumasi: Dressed entirely in black, Tina Owusu Panin joined thousands making their way to a Ghanaian palace to mourn their "mother" -- the revered queen of the powerful Ashanti kingdom.
Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem II died on Monday last week at the venerable age of 111, plunging the West African nation into grief.
The Ashanti people trace their lineage through the female line, so the Asantehene, or Ashanti king, is appointed by the queen. Tradition dictates she has to choose a male relative.
"A very important person has died," 47-year-old Panin said, speaking at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, the Ashanti capital in central Ghana.
"Our mother, our mentor. She is all to us and all for us. She is Asantehene's mother so we have to come," Panin said, watching dancers deftly move their hips to traditional drums.
The mourners spurned the traditional colourful "kente" cloth for all-black outfits -- either toga-like traditional garments or T-shirts and trousers.
Although the queen died last Monday, her death was not officially announced until Thursday, in-keeping with tradition.
