London's British Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) are set to temporarily repatriate a combination of 32 gold and silver artifacts, formerly belonging to West Africa's Asante People, back to Ghana.
This deal is part of a long-term loan agreement that spans three years and marks the return of the country's "Crown Jewels" 150 years since it was first looted from the treasury of the Asante royalty.
Behind the Loan Agreement with the Current Asante King
The Asante artifacts comprise court accouterments such as swords, rings, and bangles that were typically used in ceremonies. All of it was pillaged from the royal palace of the ethnic group amid the Anglo-Ashanti conflicts that took place between the 19th and 20th centuries.
These wars saw the Asante kingdom opposing the coastal Africans who were backed by the British Empire and resulted in the burning of the Ghanaian capital, Kumasi, alongside the looting of its palace's treasures.
Eventually, the artifacts were then spread to various collecting institutions and entities in the UK, both private and public.
The deal itself was not made with Ghana's government. Still, it was instead an agreement between the museums and the current Asante king, Otumfo Osei Tutu II, who is also dubbed the Asantehene.
Although the country of Ghana is democratic, the Asantehene and its royal branches still exert considerable influence over the nation's affairs.
The negotiation for the deal was reportedly initiated by the 73-year-old monarch during his visit to London last May's Coronation of the now-King Charles.
A Possible 'Template' for Future Repatriation Deals
By law, national collecting institutions like the V&A and British Museum are not allowed to return items that belong to their respective collections permanently. This is why long-term loan agreements have been the "workaround" for highly-contested artifacts.
Such is also the case for the current deal between the British Museums and the Asante royalty, alongside the possible option of extending the agreement.
In an interview with BBC, V&A Director Tristam Hunt said: "It doesn't seem to me that all of our museums will fall down if we build up these kind of partnerships and exchanges."
However, he also added that this deal is not a complete "back door" repatriation to permanently give back the treasures to Ghana.
According to a report by the UK publication Telegraph, a senior British Museum source said that the institution is hoping to replicate such a deal with the Greek authorities regarding the restitution of the Parthenon Marbles back to Greece.
"We may not succeed and reach an agreement, but believe it is worth trying to find a way through to mutual benefit," they continued.
The returning Ghanian artifacts are planned to be showcased at the Manhiya Palace Museum located in the Asante Region's capital, Kumasi, as part of the Asantehene's 25th anniversary.
Nana Oforiatta Ayim, a special adviser to Ghana's culture minister, told BBC that these royal accouterments possess a "spiritual importance" that rises above their material value, saying, "They are part of the soul of the nation. It's pieces of ourselves returning."
