The Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, Ghana has recently received several Asante royal treasures on loan from the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum. These objects were looted by British troops during the 19th-century Anglo-Asante wars in the region that was then the British colony of the Gold Coast (now Ghana).
The loans include important gold items such as soul-washers' badges, a figure of an eagle, a symbolic peace pipe, and a ceremonial sword known as the Mponponsuo. There are 15 objects on loan from the British Museum and 17 from the V&A. Additionally, the Fowler Museum at the University of California, Los Angeles has transferred ownership of 7 Asante items to the Asantehene (the Asante king).
The return of these treasures was marked by an impressive ceremony presided over by the current Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The UK museums were represented by their directors - Tristram Hunt from the V&A and a trustee, Chris Gosden, from the British Museum.
There are important distinctions between the UK and US repatriations. The Fowler Museum items have been permanently transferred to the Asantehene, who now holds full ownership and can use the regalia for ceremonial purposes. In contrast, the British Museum and V&A objects are on loan, initially for 3 years with a possible 3-year extension. The UK museums are prohibited from deaccessioning these items under acts of Parliament.
The return of the treasures is seen as a move towards reconciling the legacy of the colonial conflicts. However, the loan status of the UK items still leaves many dissatisfied, as they would prefer outright restitution of ownership. The Asantehene also used the occasion to question the sale of contemporary Ghanaian artworks to non-African buyers, indicating his intention to work with local artists to retain more of their work within Ghana.
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