Drum and trumpet with human skulls attached complicate plan for restitution from Los Angeles to Ghana

"The drum and the ivory trumpet were looted by British troops in the late 19th century in Kumasi, the capital of the Asante kingdom, so the Fowler Museum at the University of California, Los Angeles is determined to return them to Ghana."

"Although it would be appropriate to restitute the musical instruments to the present Asante king, it would be widely regarded as unethical to return the bones of their former enemies, victims from neighbouring communities."

"In 2024, with considerable fanfare, the Fowler Museum restituted seven other items to the Asante king. These have no human remains and are now on display in Kumasi's Manhyia Palace Museum."

"The musical instruments appear to have been seized separately by British soldiers in Kumasi during military operations in the late 19th century. The soldiers' unidentified families later sold them in London."

The Fowler Museum in Los Angeles faces a restitution dilemma regarding West African musical instruments with human skulls attached. These items, looted by British troops in the late 19th century, may have been transformed into war trophies. While returning the instruments to the Asante king is appropriate, returning the skulls of former enemies raises ethical issues. The museum previously restituted other items without human remains, but these instruments remain in limbo due to their controversial nature and historical significance.

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