A file photo of the Tepa Barnie
At the traditional burial rites of the late Asantehemaa Nana Konadu Yiadom III, almost every mourner was dressed in the customary mourning colours of black and red.
In the midst of the crowd, however, one group stood out in all-white attire. This raised questions: Why would some wear white at a solemn occasion where black is the norm?
According to Asante historian Dr Thomas Agyarko Poku, in an interview with GhanaWeb, the answer lies in the sacred traditions of the Tepa community within the Asante Kingdom.
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The group in white was not just another set of mourners, they were the official priests of Tepa, custodians of the revered deity known as Tepa Barnie.
Why Tepa priests wear white
Dr Poku explained that priests from Tepa always appear at durbars and ceremonial events in white clothing, accompanied by white umbrellas, a requirement rooted in spiritual tradition.
“These ones are brought to durbars, so you see them in white. These are the official ones and you will not see Barnie Komfo dancing around. The Tepamanhene who is responsible for Barnie is the chief priest so he comes to the durbar in white, kente and a white umbrella,” he said.
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He added that the presence of these white-clad priests at any ceremony is a strong signal that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, will also be in attendance.
“The official priests are those in white and they are very important. If you go to any ceremony and you see that white umbrella, it means that Otumfuo will attend that ceremony,” he explained.
The children of Barnie
Another notable sight during the burial rites was a group of children dressed in white who were allowed to greet the Asantehene. For many observers, this was unusual, as not every child is granted such an honour.
Dr Poku revealed that these children are known as “children of the Barnie deity.”
Families struggling with infertility often turn to Tepa Barnie, the deity, in prayer. When blessed with a child through this spiritual intervention, the child is considered a divine gift, and often marked by a distinct physical trait: a patch of white hair on the head.
“These are children of Barnie bosom. Some people go and ask for children from these bosoms and it is known that all such people, they have on the head small portion of white hair. Every child who through Barnie, the parents obtained that person, once they are born, they have that white part. So, these children are children of Barnie bosom. Therefore, when Asantehene sits and Barnie is there, they are permitted to go and greet Otumfuo,” Dr Poku noted.
The deity of Tepa is called “Tepa Barnie”.. if you consult him for a child, he will give the child a birth mark… All children given by the deity have the same birth mark… pic.twitter.com/1OjtSVr5zR
— KWA_KU_ (@kurowura2) September 18, 2025
The connection between Tepa Barnie and Otumfuo
The presence of Tepa priests and children of Barnie at ceremonies is more than symbolic, it reflects the deep spiritual bond between the Asantehene and the sacred traditions of the Asante Kingdom.
While the priests serve as custodians of tradition, the children embody the blessings of the deity, reinforcing the kingdom’s reverence for its spiritual heritage.
Meanwhile watch GhanaWeb’s exclusive interview with Ajagurajah
AK/EB
