Asantehene receives 28 looted artefacts

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has received 28 regalia artefacts looted during the Sagrenti War, as part of the 100th anniversary celebration of King Prempeh I’s return from exile in Seychelles.

The artefacts that got into the custody of an Art collector of West African work in 1922, were purchased by AngloGold Ashanti in 2000.

The artefacts, including gold ornaments, ceremonial swords, padlocks for treasury and traditional regalia, were returned to the Asantehene by the management of AngloGold Ashanti, after several negotiations at a ceremony held at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

The Sagrenti War, also known as the Yaa Asantewaa War, was a rebellion led by the Queen mother of Ejisu, Nana Yaa Asantewaa against British colonial rule.

The war resulted in the defeat of the Asante kingdom and the exile of King Prempeh I to the Seychelles.

The artefacts, which were looted by British soldiers during the war, have been in the possession of the British for over a century.

Their return is seen as a significant moment in the history of the Asante kingdom and a symbol of the reconciliation.

Ivor Agyeman Duah, who led a team to negotiate for the return of these artefacts, said “The return of the artefacts emboldens our strength and unity as a kingdom”.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, expressed his gratitude for the return of the artefacts, saying that it was a significant step towards healing the wounds of the past.

The return of the artefacts is part of a series of events marking the 100th anniversary of King Prempeh I’s return from exile.

The events include a durbar and a symposium on the life and legacy of King Prempeh I.

The artefacts will be displayed at the Manhyia Palace Museum, where they will be available for the public to view.