🔗 Share this article

Exactly Twelve historical artefacts were formally given back to the Ethiopian nation after staying by a family in Germany for over 100 years.

The artefacts, initially collected in the 1920s by the German representative to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his spouse his partner, were delivered on this past Wednesday to the research center at Addis Ababa University.

The assortment contained royal crowns, shields and paintings, all considered as culturally important in the nation.

"These items still serve as a mark of the long-standing and positive ties between the German nation and Ethiopia," stated the German diplomat, the envoy to the East African country.

Professor a professor, whose father was born during the household's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, presented the artefacts at a ceremony joined by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.

He explained that the family's goal to restore the items was to "share their splendor with the audience and maintain the heritage and history connected to my father's beginning."

The objects were either considered gifts or acquisitions, according to the household.

"We would like to thank the Weiss household for practically expressing their sincere appreciation for Ethiopia by carefully safeguarding these artifacts and importantly guaranteeing their return to their rightful country," stated the official.

The minister noted that the items would soon be made accessible to the people for investigation and educational purposes, calling the move a milestone in protecting Ethiopia's national treasures.

"Initiatives are ongoing to bring back ancient items that are found in the possession of private persons and organizations all over the globe," the minister affirmed.

In the era of imperial control in the African continent, numerous of traditional artefacts were looted.

The call by nations in Africa for the return of looted items has been answered with certain progress in recent years - although several objects are only on short-term display.

Back in 2022, the German government was the first nation to give back a selection of the famous historical items to the West African nation as part of an effort to confront its "dark legacy."

Connected Subjects

• Cultural Return Movements in the Continent
• The Effect of Imperial History on Modern African Culture
• International Movements for the Restitution of Looted Artefacts