In a landmark moment for cultural restitution, more than 130 gold and bronze artefacts looted during the colonial era have been returned to Ghana. The handover took place on 8 February 2024 at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, where King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II received the items with gratitude.
Treasures of the Asante Kingdom
The artefacts, dating between 45 and 160 years old, include:
- Royal regalia and ceremonial gold weights
- Traditional drums and symbolic objects of governance
- Items reflecting spiritual beliefs and the central role of gold in Asante society
Among the most notable pieces is a wooden drum, believed to have been seized during the siege of Kumasi in 1900 by British colonial forces.
Global Contributions to Restitution
The return was made possible through collaboration across nations and institutions:
- Britain and South Africa formally delivered the artefacts.
- AngloGold Ashanti, a South African mining company, returned several items it had purchased on the open market.
- The Barbier-Muller Museum in Geneva, originally assembled by collector Josef Muller in 1904, contributed significant pieces.
- British art historian Hermione Waterfield, who founded the Tribal Art Department at Christie’s in 1971, donated additional artefacts.
Legacy of the Asante Kingdom
The Asante Kingdom, once a powerful and wealthy state, ruled much of present-day Ghana from the late 17th century until its annexation by Britain in 1901. These artefacts serve as enduring symbols of its rich heritage, governance systems, and cultural identity.
King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II emphasized the importance of the restitution, noting that the return of these treasures strengthens Ghana’s cultural legacy and reconnects the Asante people with their ancestral heritage.