Confirmed: Asante artefacts will arrive in Kumasi in February & April

The Asante royal regalia being returned to Kumasi will arrive in February and April this year. Those arriving in the first week of February ahead of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the 3rd Anglo-Asante war, are from the Fowler Museum of the University of California , while the second batch of 32 will arrive from the British Museum and the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum in April ahead of the Silver Jubilee coronation anniversary of Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

Arrangements
The Special Advisor to the Asantehene, historian and museum economist, Ivor Agyeman-Duah, told The Thunder that the items from the Fowler museum, seven in all, are returning to Kumasi permanently.

However, those from the British and V&A museums are coming on a loan agreement that could travel for six years. They come under two separate agreements.

Why loan?
Legislation in the UK prevents permanent return of such items to their original owners, although there have been calls for the law to be repealed. Because of the restrictions in the 1983 Act, the V&A and British museums are currently unable to transfer ownership and have implemented restitution by way of a loan. Such loans offer a quick, pragmatic way of returning objects in cases where title cannot be transferred, or claims may be unclear.
The loan agreement is part of a cultural partnership between the V&A and British museums on one hand and the Asante Kingdom on the other .

Specifics
The treasures from the British museum, numbering 17 include the original sacred Mponponsuo state sword dating back to 300 years, which Asantehenes traditionally swore their oath of office and paramount chiefs their allegiance to the Asantehenes. Others include a small gold ornament in the form of a lute-harp (sankuo) given by the Asantehene Osei Bonsu to the British trade diplomat, TE Bowdich in 1817.

Coming from the V&A museum are 17 precious jewels including include 1 gold peace pipe, 3 cast gold soul-washers’ badges, 7 sections of sheet-gold ornament, 1 silver straining spoon, 1 pair of silver anklets, 1 section of sheet-gold ornament and 1 cast gold soul-washer’s badge.