California museum returns stolen Ashanti treasures in historic ceremony to mark Ghanaian King's Silver Jubilee

The Fowler Museum in California handed back seven royal artefacts to Ghana’s Ashanti king, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, during a ceremony at the historic Manhyia Palace. The return of treasures, including a gold necklace, ornamental chair, and an elephant tail whisk, commemorated the king’s silver jubilee and marked the first planned restitution of Ashanti artifacts looted during colonial times.

The event unfolded against the backdrop of mounting international pressure for European and US institutions to return African artefacts seized during the colonial era. The Fowler Museum’s gesture is seen as a step towards addressing historical injustices.

The treasures, integral to the Ashanti culture, were presented during a ceremony attended by chiefs in Kumasi, the heart of the Ashanti region. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II expressed the significance of their return, stating it would contribute to the unity and development of the kingdom. He reflected on the historical context, emphasizing the looting of Ashanti treasures by the British.

Ivor Agyeman Duah, an advisor to the king, underscored the sacred nature of the objects, framing their homecoming as a pivotal moment of reconciliation and pride for the kingdom. The ceremony, held close to the 150th anniversary of the 1874 Anglo-Asante war, drew traditional leaders, politicians, and diplomats, all clad in red and black to symbolize mourning.

The returned items had been part of the Fowler Museum’s collection since 1965. Unlike some institutions negotiating returns, the Fowler Museum imposed no conditions, allowing Ghanaian stewards to decide their use for museum displays, palace treasuries, or public celebrations.

Ghanaian royal historian Osei-Bonsu Safo-Kantanka described the moment as special, strengthening the bond between the Asante people and their ancestors. The artifacts will be showcased at the Manhyia Palace Museum as part of a year-long celebration.

This move aligns with recent commitments by institutions like the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London to lend looted gold and silver treasures back to Ghana. Meanwhile, neighboring Nigeria is in negotiations for the return of thousands of metal objects looted from the ancient kingdom of Benin, reflecting a broader global trend toward addressing historical cultural theft.