The East African nation Takes Back Valuable Items After a Century Stay in Germany

Around 12 ancient objects were officially restored to the Ethiopian nation after being kept by a household from Germany for more than a century.

These items, initially collected in the 1920s by Germany's representative to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his wife his partner, were delivered on midweek to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at the university in Addis Ababa.

This assortment included royal crowns, shields and paintings, all regarded as historically important in the country.

"These items continue to serve as a symbol of the enduring and positive ties between Germany and the Ethiopian people," stated Germany's envoy, the envoy to the East African country.

Dr. a professor, whose parent was delivered during the household's service in the nation, handed over the artefacts at a gathering witnessed by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.

He explained that the family's intention to return the items was to "display their appeal with the public and safeguard the heritage and past linked to my father's birth."

The artefacts were either gifts or purchases, according to the relatives.

"I would like to express gratitude to the Weiss family for practically expressing their deep affection for Ethiopia by meticulously maintaining these items and crucially securing their repatriation to their rightful country," commented the minister of tourism.

The minister added that the pieces would in the near future be available to the public for research and academic study, calling the decision a significant step in protecting the nation's cultural heritage.

"Initiatives will continue to bring back historical objects that are held in the custody of collectors and institutions all over the world," she said.

During colonial rule in Africa, thousands of traditional artefacts were plundered.

This request by nations in Africa for the return of looted objects has been responded to by some success in the past few years - though some artefacts are just on loan.

In 2022, the German government was the initial nation to return a portion of the well-known Benin artifacts to the Nigerian people in a bid to address its "dark legacy."

Related Themes

• Cultural Return Efforts in Africa
• This Impact of Colonial Past on Contemporary Ethiopian Heritage
• Global Movements for the Restitution of Looted Artefacts