Gold royal artefacts looted by British troops during the third Anglo-Asante war of 1874 (Sagrenti War) have finally arrived home.
They are the first collection of seven objects from the Fowler Museum at the University of California in Los Angeles, USA.
The second collection of 32 will arrive from the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum in the UK. These artefacts are being loaned to the Asante people for six years.
The returned sublime jewels will officially be presented to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at a durbar of chiefs at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, on Thursday, February 8, 2024.
The Paramount Chief of the Juaben Traditional Area, Nana Otuo Serebour, who is the Chairman of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Silver Jubilee celebrations, announced this at a press conference in Kumasi.
According to him, the royal regalia were looted in 1874 from the Asante palace in Kumasi after the ransacking of the city by British colonial military troops.
There was another punitive expedition in 1896 which led to further looting, which included ceremonial swords and ceremonial cups, some of them very important in terms of a palace’s measurement of royalty.
“Some of the Asante Crown Jewels that were looted by the invading British troops in 1874 made their way to museums in the US, and others also were taken to the UK,” Nana Serebour said.
According to him, the Asante Crown Jewels that are currently in the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum will also return to the Asantehene in the coming weeks as part of an agreed protocol.
The Council of State Chairman explained that the Royal Jewels were coming back home following years of discussion between Manhyia and other relevant foreign bodies.
The royal gold artefacts have come home at a crucial time in the history of Asanteman, which is marking 150 years since the Sagrenti War, 100 years since the return of the Sir Agyeman Prempeh after his exile in Seychelles, and 25 years since the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, ascended the stool.
The Juabenhene announced a series of activities lined up for the celebration, including symposiums, clean up exercises, and a grand durbar on May 12, 2024.
Nana Otuo Serebour strongly cautioned politicians and party activists not to bring any party paraphernalia or colours to any of the activities for the anniversary.
“Politicians are being told that the wearing of political colours are forbidden during the numerous activities that have been lined up to honour Otumfuo on his 25th anniversary.
“They should therefore respect this strong directive and advise their teeming followers not to breach this order to help make the King’s 25 years anniversary a memorable one,” he stated.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi