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The Man Whose Life Was Taken Because He Rebelled Against The Dutch
His head was preserved in a jar for many years
Badu Bonsu II was a Ghanaian king who led the Ahanta tribe. He was executed in 1838 by the Dutch who were formerly in control of the Dutch Gold Coast at that time. After his death, the late chief’s head was severed from his body and shipped to a medical centre in the Netherlands.
It is believed that Bonsu was decapitated in retaliation for the killing of two dutch emissaries.
The Portuguese had been the first set of Europeans to come to Ghana (formerly Gold Coast) during the 15th century. They were later joined by the Dutch in 1598. The Dutch began to settle into the country until 1612 when they were able to colonize the Dutch Gold Coast.
The Ahanta tribesmen who were led by Bonsu, resided close to the Dutch Gold Coast and regularly traded with them. However, historical sources have revealed that in 1837, Badu Bonsu rebelled against the Dutch government when he got to know their real intention and that they had killed many local officers. He was not happy with the way the Dutch interfered and got involved in local affairs, so he mobilized his warriors and rebelled against the Dutch government.
During that time, Bonsu also discovered that the Dutch were using the Butre treaty as a basis for exploiting the Ahanta people. After indicating his dissatisfaction with some terms of the treaty, his relationship with the Dutch officials became a hostile one. For about eight years, he was at loggerheads with them.
Shortly before his death, Chief Bonsu had effected a ban on the sale of guns and gunpowder in Ahanta. This was said to have affected the economic interests of the Dutch as the local people were prohibited from selling such items to the neighbouring tribes.
As the crisis intensified, Bonsu ordered that two Dutch emissaries should be killed and their heads were hanged on his throne as a trophy. This is believed to have been the main reason why Bonsu was killed. That singular act was considered rebellious against European rule in Ghana. There were also other incidents of colonial labour taxation, racism, political illegitimacy and violence that African chiefs like Bonsu had endured for so…
