After 150 years, the looted Asante royal regalia and objects by the British are returning to their original place.
The first batch of the artifacts arrived at the Manhyia Palace, on Monday, February 5, 2024.
“The Fowler Museum in the United States had delivered seven precious items which will be on display on Thursday, February 8. Those things that were taken away from our forefathers many many years ago, have now found their way home”, Nana Prof Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II, Otumfuo Hiahene disclosed to 3news.com.
The remaining 32 ornaments from the British Museum are expected to arrive in April.
But how significant are these treasures to the Ashanti Kingdom?
“The artifacts are embedded with physical and spiritual importance to every Asante because they somewhat make us touch base or feel the presence of our ancestors. So, getting to see them for the first time in 150 years will come with some mixed feeling of joy and sorrow because of the emotions attached to it”, cultural historian, Safo Kantanka explained.
Nii Kwate Owoo is a Ghanaian filmmaker who had the rare opportunity of seeing looted artifacts from different African countries by the British.
“It was like a time travel when I left the office of the curator and went 50 feet down the basement of the British Museum. I was astonished with what I saw. Huge collection of artifacts were hidden there. When we landed, the aroma of our ancestors came and overwhelmed me. It was almost like they were saying welcome our great great grandson. Spiritually I felt the presence of our ancestors”, Nii Kwate narrated.
Among the treasures he saw were those stolen from the Asantehene’s palace when the British demolished the royal palace with explosives and stole the ornaments during the 1874 Sir Garnet Wolseley War also known as ‘Sagrenti War’.
The return of the stolen treasures to their original place was realized following an agreement between the Manhyia Palace and UK government.
“Per the arrangement, the treasures arriving from the United States would be kept by the royal palace permanently, but the ones from the British Museum are to be loaned to the Manhyia Palace for a maximum of six years”, Safo Kantanka hinted.
The mere thought of returning the treasures to its root excites many, especially the traditional authorities.
“Knowing I’m going to have the opportunity to see something that was taken from my homeland 150 years ago means a lot to all of us because we were not present, but we’ve read stories and seen pictures about these artifacts” Oheneba Boachie-Adjei Woahene II stated.
The Asante gold artifacts are the ultimate symbol of the Asante royal government and are believed to be invested with the spirits of former Asante kings.
In May this year, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II will mark 25 years of his ascension onto the golden stool.
All the returned 37 treasures are expected to be displayed during the anniversary.
The collections include the original sacred Mpomponsuo state sword which is being used by all Asantehenes to swear their oath of office and paramount chiefs their allegiance to the Asantehenes.