The Manhyia Palace Museum in Kumasi will reopen tomorrow Wednesday, 1st May, 2024, as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
The museum will unveil refurbished facilities and historic Ashanti heirlooms to the public in its new “Homecoming Exhibition”.
A statement from the Palace announcing the opening indicated that “the momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in the Ashanti Kingdom’s cultural heritage”.
British institutions, in a landmark agreement, recently sent 32 royal treasures plundered from the Asante Kingdom 150 years ago.
The works, featuring 15 items from the British Museum and 17 from the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), are now at the Manhyia Palace Museum on a three-year loan.
The Fowler Museum at the University of California, Los Angeles, repatriated seven artefacts in February 2024.
The Homecoming will commemorate these initiatives under Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s leadership.
Looted by British military forces from the Asantehene’s court during the 19th century Anglo-Ashanti Wars, the Homecoming will exhibit the relics in their homeland for the first time in 150 years.
The relics include the sword of state known as ‘Mpomponsuo’ and the gold badges of officials authorised to purify the King’s soul.
“The collection also features a gold lute-harp presented by Asantehene Osei Bonsu to British diplomat Thomas Edward Bowdich during an 1817 trade treaty. Each offers visitors a rare glimpse into the splendour of Ashanti history and culture,” the statement said.
“These partnerships go beyond the Ashanti Kingdom,” it explained, referencing ongoing international movements to repatriate cultural artefacts to their rightful origins.
“50 years since Asantehene Otumfuo Opoku Ware II first requested the return of the items from the British Museum in 1974, the Homecoming renews our connections to Britain and the United States, in the spirit of progress and cooperation”, Mr Ivor Agyeman-Duah, Manhyia Palace Museum’s Director and Chief Negotiator for the Asantehene, stated.
“Although the British Museum’s laws forbid the permanent removal of objects, thanks to the mutually beneficial cooperation between Otumfuos Opoku-Ware II and Osei Tutu II, and the British Museum and V&A, items removed 150 years ago are home from three museums.
“We now look forward to more dialogues and stronger relationships with all custodians of Ashanti treasures,” he added.
The Fowler Museum returned the treasures to the Asantehene on 8th February.
They include a royal stool ornament from Asantehene Kofi Karikari’s private collection, who ruled during Kumasi’s sacking.
Opened by Otumfuo Opoku Ware II during his Silver Jubilee in 1995, the museum was originally the first Manhyia Palace, built by the British for Asantehene Nana Prempeh I in 1925 to replace the royal palace destroyed during the Yaa Asantewaa War in 1900.
“Visitors to the museum would explore expanded spaces, photographic and regalia displays, life-like mannequins of the 20th and 21st-century Asantehenes and Asantehemaas (queen mothers), and captivating narratives chronicling the legacy of the Ashanti kingdom, including its history with the British Empire,” the statement noted, adding that other details of the opening ceremony and Homecoming exhibition would be announced soon.
Source: GNA
