Looted Asante royal artefacts on display for public viewing at Manhyia Museum

Looted royal artefacts from the Asante kingdom are finally on display for public viewing at the Manhyia Museum in Kumasi.

This is 150 years after the British took them.

The thirty-two items, including a ceremonial cap decorated with gold ornaments, were received by the Asantehene during the reopening of the museum.

Our news team in Kumasi were at the Manhyia Palace where the Asantehene described the return of the items as a restoration of the Asante spirit.

Looted by the British army some 150 years ago, the royal artefacts now sit within the confines of the Manhyia Museum.

The artefacts include a ceremonial cap decorated with gold ornaments known as Mpomponsuo, a sword of state, three cast gold soul-washers’ badges, and a gold peace pipe.

These artefacts were taken from the kingdom during the Anglo-Asante Wars, including the infamous Sagrenti War of 1874.

The collection also features seven sections of sheet-gold ornament, one silver straining spoon, one pair of silver anklets and one section of sheet-gold ornament.

A gold lute-harp presented by Asantehene Osei Bonsu to British diplomat Thomas Edward Bowdich during an 1817 trade treaty was also returned.

Fifteen of these artefacts were returned by the British Museum (BM) and 17 from the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A).

Speaking at the homecoming of these looted artefacts and reopening of Manhyia Museum Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II indicated that the return of the items is a restoration of the Asante spirit.

“This is a day for Asanteman.

The spirit we share is back,” stated Otumfuo.

“Asante King is seen as a symbol of traditional authority, and is believed to be invested with the spirit of his predecessors.

The Director of Victoria and Albert Museum, Dr Tristam Hunt, acknowledged the very painful history surrounding the acquisition of these artefacts.

” A history tainted by the scars imperial conflict and colonialism.

These treasures have borne witness to triumph and trials of the Great Kingdom to the power of cultural exchange and reconciliation “, he said.

The Manhyia Museum, opened by Otumfuo Opoku Ware II, was originally the first palace built by the British for Asantehene Nana Prempeh I in 1925.

It is to replace the royal palace they destroyed during the Yaa Asantewaa War in 1900.

Closed three weeks ago, the public can now see photographic and regalia displays, lifelike mannequins of the 20th and 21st-century Asantehenes and Asantehemaas and the chronicles of the Asante kingdom, including their history with the British.

African countries including Ghana have repeatedly called for the return of looted items with some regaining ownership over precious historical artefacts in recent years.

Chief negotiator, Ivor Agyemang-Duah, revealed negotiations are still ongoing for the return of some hundred looted artefacts in various museums across the globe.

The items will be on loan for an initial three years and renewable for another three years.

Their return coincides with the silver jubilee of the Asantehene since his ascension to the Golden Stool.

By Benjamin Aidoo