The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is set to receive 28 historic gold regalia from South Africa this weekend during a mini durbar at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi. The gold ornaments, created by royal Asante artisans in the 19th century, include linguist staffs, swords, palace security locks, rings, necklaces, and gold weights shaped like crocodiles.
This significant event coincides with the centenary anniversary of the return of the 13th Asantehene, Agyeman Prempeh I, from exile in the Seychelles. The durbar will also honor the visit of Seychelles’ President, Wavel Ramkalawan.
### **The Journey of the Regalia**
The gold artifacts were part of the AngloGold Ashanti Gold of Africa Museum collection in South Africa. Following a direct appeal by the Asantehene earlier this year, AngloGold Ashanti agreed to a deaccession arrangement. The transfer was approved by the Reserve Bank of South Africa three weeks ago, allowing the regalia’s return to Kumasi.
These items were previously housed in the Barbier-Mueller Museum in Geneva before being acquired by AngloGold Ashanti in 2000. The return of these treasures is celebrated as a major cultural milestone for Africa, emphasizing the continent’s effort to reclaim its heritage.
Ivor Agyeman-Duah, a historian and Associate Director of the Manhyia Palace Museum, authenticated the regalia with support from Edward Michael Ennin, a member of the Ghana Board of AngloGold Ashanti. Agyeman-Duah explained that the regalia will be displayed in a newly added contemporary art gallery at the Manhyia Palace Museum.
This return brings the total number of restituted and loaned cultural objects received by the Palace this year to 67, making it the largest single-year restitution of cultural artifacts in Africa. Earlier this year, seven artifacts were returned from the Fowler Museum at UCLA, and 32 items were received from The British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in the UK.
An AngloGold Ashanti delegation, led by Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer Stewart Bailey, will attend the presentation. Prominent cultural figures, including Lekgetho Mokola, a fellow of Yale University, have hailed the restitution as a step forward in addressing Africa’s colonial legacies.
“This is a powerful example of Africa reclaiming its heritage. It inspires hope for further restitutions of cultural artifacts to their rightful owners,” Mokola stated.
The return of these artifacts underscores the importance of preserving and celebrating Africa’s cultural heritage for future generations.
