THE BATAKARI KESE

Country of Origin: Ghana

Tribe: Asantes

The Batakari Kese which was a gift given to the then Otumfour of Asantes, Otumfour Osei Tutu the first by Yaa-Naa Gariba, the Overlord of the Dagbon in 1715 when he was invited to the Asante Empire to discuss a peace treaty.

The Batakari kese is a traditional war amour that is passed on immediately to the next chosen king of Asante.

Whenever the king is adorned in this war regalia no metal weapon, whether it being a knife or a bullet can penetrate his body.

It has been tried and tested.

Otumfour Osei Tutu II is the only Asantehene in history who has worn this batakari kese twice, ie. during his enstoolment and the funeral rites of his mother Nana Afia Kobi who was the Asantehemaa reigning from 1977-2016