After over 150 years, the Asante kingdom regained possession of its royal artifacts that were looted by the British army.
These precious cultural items are now on display for public viewing at the Manhyia Museum in Kumasi.
The collection of 32 artifacts, including a ceremonial cap decorated with gold ornaments, a sword of state, gold badges, and a gold peace pipe, was formally received by the Asantehene during the museum’s reopening ceremony.
The Asantehene described the return of these items as a restoration of the Asante spirit.
Fifteen of the artifacts were repatriated from the British Museum, while 17 were returned by the Victoria and Albert Museum in the UK. These items were taken during the Anglo-Asante Wars in the 19th century, including the notorious Sagrenti War of 1874.
The Manhyia Museum, which was originally the first palace built by the British for Asantehene Nana Prempeh I in 1925, now houses a diverse collection. Visitors can see photographic and regalia displays, lifelike mannequins of past Asantehenes and Asantehemaas, and chronicles of the Asante kingdom’s history with the British.
Chief negotiator Ivor Agyemang-Duah revealed that negotiations are still ongoing for the return of hundreds of other looted Asante artifacts currently held in various museums around the world.
The repatriated items will be on loan for an initial three years, with the possibility of renewal for another three years.
The homecoming of these artifacts coincides with the silver jubilee of the Asantehene’s ascension to the Golden Stool, underscoring the cultural significance of this event for the Asante people.
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Source: Isaac Justice Bediako, Ghana
