Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has stressed the Asante kingdom’s tenacity and declared that any attempts to marginalize or disparage it will fail.
During a durbar held at Manhyia Palace on Thursday, February 8, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II emphasized the kingdom’s resilience despite its past setbacks. The durbar marked the beginning of the return of stolen Asante artifacts to Asanteman.
Asante chiefs would wear black cloth to commemorate the destruction caused by British troops during the Third Anglo-Asante War, also referred to as the Sagrenti War. This occasion was called “Kuntukuni Thursday.”
During this battle, Major General Garnet Wolseley led the British army in an unprovoked attack on Asanteman, destroying Kumasi, the nation’s capital, and pilfering priceless jewelry and gold. The kingdom persisted even after losing more than 4,000 Asante warriors, including well-known chiefs.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II emphasized the value of the Asante people’s long-standing independence—which predates Ghana’s formation—during a speech to durbar attendees.
He emphasized Asanteman’s incomparable contribution to Ghanaian politics and society and called for unanimity and a determination to protect the kingdom, following in the footsteps of their ancestors.
The return of seven artifacts from the University of California’s Fowler Museum represents a step in the right direction for Asanteman to recover its cultural legacy. Moreover, attempts are being made to return 32 artifacts that are currently kept in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the British Museum.
During his speech, the Asantehene issued a warning against youth substance abuse and emphasized the significance of safeguarding Asanteman’s legacy for the coming generations.
