🔗 Share this article

Around Twelve ancient objects were formally returned to the Ethiopian nation following remaining by a family in Germany for more than a century.

The artefacts, first acquired in the early twentieth century by the German representative to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his spouse Hedwig, were handed over on this past Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the university in Addis Ababa.

The collection featured royal crowns, protective shields and artistic works, each viewed as historically significant in the country.

"The treasures still serve as a emblem of the long-standing and friendly connection between Germany and Ethiopia," said the German diplomat, Germany's envoy to the East African country.

Professor a professor, whose father was delivered during the household's service in the nation, delivered the objects at a ceremony witnessed by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.

He explained that the family's aim to give back the treasures was to "display their beauty with the people and maintain the culture and history linked to my father's beginning."

These items were either donations or buys, based on the family.

"We would like to express gratitude to the Weiss family for concretely demonstrating their sincere love for Ethiopia by diligently safeguarding these items and vitally guaranteeing their homecoming to their rightful nation," said the minister of tourism.

She continued that the artefacts would shortly be available to the people for investigation and scholarly work, terming the action a milestone in protecting the nation's cultural heritage.

"Efforts will continue to return old items that are held in the hands of private persons and entities around the globe," she said.

During colonialism in Africa, numerous of cultural items were plundered.

The call by nations in Africa for the restoration of taken objects has been answered with some progress in lately - though a number of objects are only on temporary return.

Back in 2022, the German government was the first state to give back a selection of the well-known historical items to the Nigerian people in a bid to deal with its "complex past."

Connected Topics

• Historical Return Efforts in Africa
• The Impact of Colonial History on Modern Ethiopian Culture
• Global Campaigns for the Return of Stolen Items