In a significant development, the United Kingdom has decided to return some of Ghana’s revered “crown jewels,” which were looted from the court of the Asante king 150 years ago.
The return includes a gold peace pipe among 32 items, with 17 pieces on loan from the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) and 15 from the British Museum.
The Asante gold artifacts, considered the epitome of the Asante royal government, were taken during 19th-century conflicts between the British and the Asante. The items to be returned, including a sword of state and gold badges worn by officials, hold immense cultural and spiritual significance for Ghana.
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Ghana’s chief negotiator expressed hope for a “new sense of cultural cooperation” following generations of discontent. While UK museums are restricted by law from permanently returning contested items, these loan agreements, spanning three years with an option to extend, are seen as a way to facilitate the return of objects to their countries of origin.
Tristram Hunt, director of the V&A, emphasized that the Asante gold items are equivalent to the “Crown Jewels” for the Asante people. The loan agreements, not with the Ghanaian government but with the current Asante king, Asantehene Otumfo Osei Tutu II, mark a diplomatic step toward acknowledging historical wrongs.
The items will be displayed at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, celebrating the Asantehene’s silver jubilee. This return is a significant milestone in addressing the colonial past, and the Asante gold artifacts hold similar importance for Ghana as the Benin Bronzes do for Nigeria.
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The decision to return these cultural treasures is part of a broader global conversation on restitution, with hopes that it will pave the way for more collaborative partnerships and exchanges between nations.
However, concerns persist about the legal restrictions on permanent returns and the potential implications of loans in acknowledging ownership. The agreements between the V&A, the British Museum, and the Asantehene aim to initiate dialogue, recognizing the need for cultural healing and commemoration of historical injustices.
