Ghana gets back old things from the UK and South Africa – level 3

Ghana gets back old things from the UK and South Africa

14-11-2025 07:00

More than 130 gold and bronze artifacts have been returned to Ghana from the UK and South Africa.

Many of them were taken from the Asante Kingdom during colonial times, while others were bought later on the open market. Some of the returned items were looted by British soldiers during the 1900 siege of Kumasi.

The objects, including royal regalia, drums, and ceremonial gold weights, are between 45 and 160 years old and show the importance of gold in Asante culture. At a ceremony in Kumasi, King Otumfuo Osei Tutu II thanked the South African company AngloGold Ashanti and British art expert Hermione Waterfield for returning the pieces.

Waterfield, a pioneering art historian, had long supported the restitution of African art. The event highlights Africa’s growing efforts to recover its cultural heritage and reconcile with colonial history.

Difficult words: loot (to steal valuable things, especially during a war or after fighting), regalia (the special clothes, crowns, or symbols that show someone’s royal or official power), restitution (returning something to its original owner), reconcile (to make peace after conflict or disagreement).

You can watch the video news lower on this page.

Which returned artifacts, dating from 45 to 160 years old, illustrate the significance of gold in Asante culture?

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