US museum returns looted royal artifacts to Ghana’s Ashanti king
IN A planned gesture of restitution, a California museum returned seven royal artifacts to Ghana’s traditional Ashanti king on Thursday, marking his silver jubilee. This historic event underscores mounting pressure on European and U.S. institutions to repatriate African artifacts looted during colonial rule by former colonial powers such as Britain, France, Germany and Belgium.
The Ghana royal treasures from the Fowler Museum, including a gold necklace, an ornamental chair and an elephant tail whisk, were presented during a ceremony of chiefs at the Manhyia Palace in the city of Kumasi in the Ashanti region.
Royal Ashanti gold objects are believed to be invested with the spirits of former rulers.
The Ashanti monarch Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, who holds an important ceremonial role in Ghana, said their return would help unite his people.
“What just happened confirms what occurred so many years ago when the British attacked us and looted our treasures,” he said. “Let’s remain united to bring about peace and development in the kingdom.”
Ivor Agyeman Duah, an adviser to the king, said the objects were sacred.
“Their homecoming signifies a pivotal moment of reconciliation and pride for our kingdom,” Duah told Agence France-Presse (AFP). The event, held close to the 150th anniversary of the 1874 Anglo-Asante war, gathered traditional leaders, politicians and diplomats, most adorned in red and black to symbolize mourning.
The returned items have been part of the Fowler Museum’s collection since 1965.
Unlike other institutions negotiating with Ghana, the Fowler Museum imposed no conditions, leaving it to the discretion of their Ghanaian stewards to decide their use for museum displays, palace treasuries or public celebrations.
Speaking to AFP at the palace grounds, Ghanaian royal historian Osei-Bonsu SafoKantanka said: “This is a special moment for the Asante people because it strengthens the bond between us and our ancestors.”
The objects will be displayed at the
Manhyia Palace Museum as part of the year-long celebration.
The move follows recent announcements by the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London to lend gold and silver treasures looted from the Asante kingdom back to Ghana in a sixyear deal.
Neighboring Nigeria is also negotiating the return of thousands of 16th to 18thcentury metal objects looted from the ancient kingdom of Benin and currently held by museums and art collectors across the United States and Europe.
Two years ago, Benin received two dozen treasures and artworks stolen in 1892 by French colonial forces.