![]() The Government of Ghana, in pursuance of enriching the cultural heritage of the people, has set up a Restitution Committee to look at the return of items taken from the Asante Palace which are now in collections around the world. “The British Museum told the BBC it is “exploring the possibility of lending items” to Ghana.Īlthough international attention is now focused on the restitution of Benin bronzes to Nigeria from European and American collections, items from the Asante Kingdom are arguably of equal significance. “The Museum’s collection includes works taken from the Asante Palace in Kumasi during the war with the British of 1874. “The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, recently met the Museum’s Director, Dr Hartwig Fischer, for discussions. The BBC reports that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on his recent visit to the United Kingdom (UK) for the commemoration of King Charles III, asked the British Museum to return gold items in its collection to his country. Given the cultural, spiritual and symbolic significance of how the restitution of these ancient artefacts could have on their place of origin, the Manhyia Palace, the seat of the Asantehene, has renewed efforts at getting these precious items back to their roots. “These were sold by the British army through the London crown jeweler, Garrard,” it reports. Some of those artefacts and collections could now be found in museums worldwide, including the British Museum, Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum, European museums and the American Museum of Natural History.Īccording to ‘The Art Newspaper’, an international journal covering the art world, the greatest part of the V&A’s Asante collection comprised 13 pieces of looted Asante court regalia. It is worth mentioning that the third and fifth Anglo-Asante Wars, known as the Sagrenti War and Yaa Asantewaa War, respectively, dealt a big blow to the Empire as some of its treasured artefacts were captured by the invading British forces. These wars left in their wake many casualties, destruction of property, exiles and the eventual suppression of the Asante Empire.ĭespite its enduring and active resistance, the Empire became a British protectorate on January 01, 1902. ![]() It is estimated that some five major wars were fought within this period – the first Anglo-Asante War took place between 18, the second in 1863, the third between 18, the fourth between 18, and the fifth and final one in 1900. The clashes were triggered by Britain’s bid to establish a strong presence in the Gold Coast, and will, therefore, do anything possible to crash the Asante resistance. Accra, May 18, GNA – The Asantehene, Otumfo Osei Tutu II and the British Museum are conferring on the return of some prized Asante artefacts taken away by the British occupying force in the 19th and 20th centuries.īritish Between 18, there were a series of conflicts between the Asante Empire of the Gold Coast (now Ghana), and the invading British Empire. ![]()
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