A significant milestone in the ongoing efforts for cultural restitution, a U.S. museum has returned a collection of royal regalia to Ghana, marking the first major repatriation of looted artefacts to the West African nation. The Fowler Museum at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), announced the return of the items, all belonging to the Asante kingdom, which were looted by British colonial soldiers 150 years ago.
According to reports, the items were purchased by an American collector and subsequently donated to the museum after his passing. In a symbolic gesture of reconciliation and acknowledgment of historical injustices, representatives from the Fowler Museum officially handed over the regalia to the Asante king, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in a ceremony held in the city of Kumasi on Thursday.
This move comes amidst a global wave of demands for the repatriation of cultural treasures acquired during the colonial era. Countries like Nigeria and Ethiopia have been vocal in their calls for the return of looted artefacts, emphasizing the importance of reclaiming their cultural heritage.
However, the process of repatriation is not without its challenges. Some museums cite legal restrictions that prevent them from permanently returning contested items in their collections. In response to these complexities, institutions like London’s British Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum have opted to loan contested artefacts to museums in the countries of origin, as was recently seen in the case of 32 objects taken during the Anglo-Asante wars, which are set to be loaned to the Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi.
The regalia returned by the Fowler Museum include significant items such as an elephant tail whisk, royal stool ornaments, a royal necklace, strands of beads, and an ornamental chair. Four of these artefacts were taken during the 1874 sacking of Kumasi, while three were part of an indemnity payment made by the Asante kingdom to the British.
Commenting on the significance of the return, Ivor Agyemang Duah, director of the Asante royal museum, highlighted the cultural importance of these artefacts, stating that they serve as tangible links connecting the present to the past, embodying the essence of a civilization.
The Fowler Museum emphasized that the return of the regalia was permanent and voluntary, signaling a shift towards a more ethical approach to museum stewardship, one that recognizes the responsibility towards the communities of origin. This approach reflects a growing acknowledgment of the need for restitution and justice in addressing historical wrongs.
While the return of the artefacts is a significant step forward, there are calls for further dialogue and action. Kwaku Darko Ankrah, a historian at the University of Ghana, emphasized the importance of understanding the circumstances under which the artefacts were acquired and called for efforts to identify and return items to their original owners, or alternatively, recognize them as national treasures of Ghana if their owners cannot be identified.
Overall, the return of the royal regalia signifies a meaningful gesture of reconciliation and respect for Ghana’s cultural heritage, while also prompting broader conversations about restitution and the ethical stewardship of cultural artefacts.
