In a move that has sparked outrage, the Royal Artillery is under fire for refusing public access to a remarkable artefact—an ornate golden ram’s head looted from the Asante people in what is now Ghana during the 19th century. This extraordinary piece of history, hidden away in the officers’ mess at Larkhill in Wiltshire, epitomises the colonial plunder that characterised the British Empire’s expansion in Africa.
Hidden Treasures of Colonial History
The golden ram’s head, an exquisite artefact measuring approximately 19cm across, was taken during the brutal Anglo-Asante wars, which culminated in the British annexation of Asante territory in 1901. Forces pillaged the royal palace in Kumasi in 1874, subsequently burning the city to the ground. Following a second incursion in 1896, the British returned to loot the newly rebuilt palace, with a commander boasting of demonstrating “the power of England.”
Despite the ram’s head being a prime candidate for public display, it remains sequestered from view, known only to a select few within the regiment. The artefact stands as a testament to the violent history of colonialism, yet it is shrouded in secrecy, hidden from the very people whose ancestors created it.
A Request Denied
Barnaby Phillips, an acclaimed former BBC correspondent with deep roots in African reporting, was shocked to be denied access to the ram’s head while researching his upcoming book, *The African Kingdom of Gold: Britain and the Asante Treasure*. His request was met not with an invitation but with a curt refusal from the Royal Artillery, citing security concerns. Phillips remarked on the irony of an army institution holding the spoils of war while claiming to restrict access for safety reasons.
In a letter from the Royal Artillery’s regimental secretary, it was made clear that the policy of withholding access is primarily for insurance reasons. Such a stance raises questions about the legacy of these artefacts and the responsibilities of British institutions to confront their colonial past.
Calls for Negotiation and Return
Ivor Agyeman-Duah, a historian born in Kumasi and director of the Manhyia Palace Museum, has been tasked by the Asante king, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to negotiate the return of Asante treasures from British institutions. Agyeman-Duah expressed his intent to engage with the Royal Artillery, stating, “This piece is iconic evidence of Asante prowess over two centuries.” He hopes to visit the officers’ mess during his next trip to England, aiming to forge a path towards repatriation.
The Anglo-Asante wars, driven by British interests in the region’s resources, saw the Asante people fiercely resist colonial encroachment. The golden ram’s head embodies not only the artistic mastery of the Asante but also the deep cultural significance of gold as a vessel of ancestral spirit.
The Controversial Stand
Further complicating the narrative is the ram’s head’s stand, commissioned in 1875, which depicts three black boys in loincloths holding the trophy. Phillips contends that this presentation not only transforms the artefact into a symbol of conquest but also reflects an insensitivity that would be deemed unacceptable in contemporary society.
Moreover, the same mess houses another looted item—a magnificent silver cross taken during the contentious 1868 Abyssinia campaign by the soldier William Knox, who also claimed the ram’s head. Phillips highlights the irony of such significant objects being relegated to the shadows, visible only to the regiment’s invited guests.
Why it Matters
The refusal to grant public access to the golden ram’s head represents a broader reluctance within British institutions to confront the uncomfortable truths of colonial history. As calls for repatriation grow louder, the Royal Artillery’s stance serves as a microcosm of the ongoing debate about ownership, restitution, and the legacies of imperialism. The artefact is not merely an object; it is a symbol of a painful past that demands acknowledgment and respect. The question now looms: will Britain confront its history, or will such treasures remain locked away, hidden from the eyes of those who seek to reclaim their heritage?