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Recovered Asante Kingdom Artefacts Go on Display in Ghana
After 150 years since British colonizers took them, looted artefacts from the Asante kingdom have finally returned to Ghana, drawing crowds of Ghanaians to the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, the capital of the Asante region. Asante King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II hailed the occasion as a significant moment for both the Asante people and the entire African continent, emphasizing the spiritual and cultural importance of their return.
However, the artefacts have only been loaned to Ghana for three years, with the possibility of extension, under an agreement between two British museums—the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) and the British Museum—and the Asante king, rather than the Ghanaian government. While the Asante king is revered as a symbol of traditional authority, his kingdom now operates within Ghana’s modern democratic framework.
The artefacts on display include 17 pieces loaned by the V&A and 15 from the British Museum, coinciding with the silver jubilee celebration of the Asantehene. Many of these items were looted during the Anglo-Ashanti wars of the 19th century, such as the famous Sargrenti War of 1874, while others, like the gold harp (Sankuo), were acquired through diplomatic channels.
The return of these artefacts signifies a complex mix of reconciliation and controversy. While acknowledging the painful history of their acquisition tainted by imperial conflict and colonialism, Dr. Tristam Hunt, director of the V&A Museum, underscores the power of cultural exchange and reconciliation. The significance of the returned items, like the “mpompomsuo sword,” which serves as a symbol of office for swearing oaths, is deeply rooted in Asante tradition and history.
Yet, the return is not without its challenges. Under UK law, national museums are prohibited from permanently returning contested items, leading to loan agreements like this. While some Ghanaians advocate for permanent restitution, this arrangement provides a workaround for British legal restrictions. The situation mirrors similar efforts by African nations to reclaim looted artefacts, with Nigeria receiving over 1,000 Benin Bronzes from Germany in 2022 as part of addressing colonial legacies.
