The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and other media outlets have reported on the return of looted artefacts from the Asante kingdom in Ghana, 150 years after they were taken by British colonisers.
Ghanaians gathered at the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region, to welcome the 32 items back home.
The BBC emphasized in its report that these artefacts have been loaned to the Asanteman, which is an accurate statement. However, many who saw the report were dissatisfied with the BBC’s coverage.
The artefacts have been loaned to Ghana for three years under an agreement between two British museums, the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) and the British Museum, and the Asante king, not the Ghanaian government.
Although the Asantehene is a symbol of traditional authority, his kingdom is now part of Ghana’s modern democracy.
The V&A is lending 17 pieces, while the British Museum is lending 15.
The return of these artefacts coincides with the silver jubilee celebration of the Asantehene.
Some of the items, including the gold harp (Sankuo), were looted during the Anglo-Ashanti wars of the 19th Century. Other items, like the sword of state, were given to a British diplomat in 1817.
This gold headpiece known as “krononkye” was used when royalty was grieving. Credit – BBC
The midnight knife (L) was used for covert operations. The gold badges (R) were worn by the king’s soul washers. Credit – BBC.
Among the returned artefacts are the sword of state, gold peace pipe, and gold badges worn by officials charged with cleansing the soul of the king.
The sword of state, also known as the “mpompomsuo sword,” holds great significance for the Asante people, as it is used in swearing the oath of office to the kingdom by paramount chiefs and the king himself.
Royal historian Osei-Bonsu Safo-Kantanka told the BBC that when the items were taken from the Asante, it took away “a portion of our heart, our feeling, our whole being.”
The return of these artefacts is controversial and significant. Under UK law, national museums like the V&A and British Museum are prohibited from permanently returning contested items in their collections. Loan deals like this are seen as a way to allow objects to return to their countries of origin.
Some countries that claim disputed artefacts fear that loans may imply they accept UK ownership. Many Ghanaians believe the ornaments should remain permanently, but this new arrangement is a way to overcome British legal restrictions.
The loan can be extended, but only with the approval of the British culture secretary.