🔗 Share this article

A total of 12 ancient items have been ceremoniously given back to the Ethiopian nation following remaining by a household from Germany for over a century.

The items, first acquired in the early twentieth century by the German diplomat to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were transferred on this past Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the capital's university.

The set featured headpieces, shields and paintings, all viewed as historically significant in Ethiopia.

"These items continue to stand as a mark of the long-standing and amicable relationship between Germany and Ethiopia," said Ferdinand von Weyhe, the ambassador to Ethiopia.

Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose parent was delivered during the household's service in Ethiopia, delivered the items at a gathering attended by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.

He explained that the household's intention to give back the artefacts was to "display their appeal with the people and preserve the culture and history tied to my parent's beginning."

The items were either gifts or purchases, as stated by the household.

"We would like to express gratitude to the Weiss household for concretely showing their sincere love for Ethiopia by diligently preserving these items and crucially guaranteeing their return to their legitimate country," said the tourism minister.

The minister noted that the artefacts would soon be opened to the people for study and academic study, terming the action a significant step in protecting the nation's cultural heritage.

"Initiatives are ongoing to repatriate historical items that are found in the custody of private persons and organizations all over the world," the minister stated.

During imperial control in the African continent, thousands of historical items were plundered.

This demand by African countries for the restoration of stolen objects has been met with a degree of progress in recent years - though several objects are merely on temporary return.

Back in the year 2022, the German government was the pioneering nation to give back a portion of the well-known Benin Bronzes to the Nigerian people in an attempt to confront its "troubled legacy."

Related Topics

• Cultural Return Movements in the Continent
• The Effect of Colonial History on Contemporary Ethiopian Culture
• Global Campaigns for the Return of Looted Artefacts