Breaking News
1. India delivers its first shipment of emergency relief supplies to flood-affected Nepal      2. Turkey to evacuate citizens from Lebanon on Wednesday      3. Himachal Pradesh minister raises concerns over drone activity near sensitive border area      4. Three children died in Vijayanagar district.      5. Amethi horror: Murder accused Chandan Verma injured in police encounter during escape attempt      6. Haryana assembly elections: PM Modi urges voters to set a new record as polling begins for 90 seats      7. Foreign Minister of Argentina Diana Mondino arrived on an official visit to India      8. Union Minsiter Dharmendra Pradhan pays tribute to the youngest freedom fighter Baji Rout      9. Bodies of three more Naxalites found after encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region; death toll rises to 31      10. NCP-Ajit Pawar faction leader Sachin Kurmi killed in Mumbai's Byculla      11. Two terrorists killed during encounter with security forces in J-K's Kupwara, operation underway      12. NIA conducts raids across five states in terror conspiracy case      13. Helicopter crashes in Maharashtra's Pune district; two persons feared killed, say police      14. 7 more children take ill after having mid-day meal at Thane school; 45 hospitalised so far      15. PM inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 109 projects under AMRIT      16. Andhra govt notifies new liquor policy, expects to gain Rs 5,500 cr revenue      17. 'My Family Being Targeted': Siddaramaiah Reacts To Row Over Wife's Move To Return MUDA Plots      18. Israel begins 'targeted ground raids' on Hezbollah in Lebanon amid ceasefire calls      19. Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 Live Updates: 65.65% voter turnout in Phase 3 polling for final 40 seats,      20. Iran Preparing To 'Imminently' Launch Missile Attack On Israel: US Official     

Ghana and Nigeria, in the bid to repatriate looted artifacts, make a step forward

  • Posted on May 12, 2024
  • News
  • By Arijit Dutta
  • 125 Views

Ghana celebrated the repatriation of looted Asante gold artifacts, while Nigeria's efforts to display returned Benin Bronzes have stalled amid ownership disputes between national museums and the palace.

1715493380-4YOHTZkFVh.png

The British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum became the home of 32 pieces of gold and silver artifacts for more than a century.  However, on April 12th, a highly guarded convoy brought them back to Ghana's Manhyia Palace in Kumasi. The things, including a fancy necklace, a peace pipe, and a ceremonial sword, had been stolen by the British soldiers during the Anglo-Asante wars of 1874 and 1896. 

Emotional repatriation of the stolen treasures of the Asante Kingdom was the major feature that marked the final stage of the Ghanaian struggle to reclaim the stolen property of the kingdom. "Sadly, while some of them were returned, not all of them came back. "This is what the Asantehene (King) Otumfuo Osei Tutu II said. "But, the ones we have here still have the soul of Asante in them. "

However, the artifacts are only on long-term loan rather than being permanently handed back due to the British law.  Therefore, Ivor Agyeman-Duah, the director of Manhyia Palace Museum, also believes that the current compromise is fair after 50 years of stalemate. The public will get an opportunity to admire these gold items at the museum. 

Nigeria has some achievements in the repatriation of the famous Benin Bronzes stolen by the British in 1897, but the process has been stalled. In sum, Germany recognized its ownership of 1,000 bronzes in 2022 and its foreign minister delivered 22 pieces by hand. However, almost 1. 5 years back, all those artifacts have not yet been exposed to public display due to the disagreement between the national museums and the Oba's palace regarding ownership. 

Also Read: Telangana Police Apprehend Nigerian Narcotics Dealer in Hyderabad, Seize Drugs Valued at Rs 8 Crore

Some Western museums have not been willing to transfer the bronzes because of the uncertainty. The returnees from Ghana have been processed in a shorter time without much red tape. Agyeman-Duah believes that gold is the 'magnet' that will attract the youth and thereby bring in more visitors.  He said: 'We will keep our word and return the loans if necessary. '

The varying ways of Ghana and Nigeria show the complexity of the issue of restoring the cultural heritage that was stolen by colonialism.

Author
No Image
Author
Arijit Dutta

You May Also Like