Ethiopia Receives Valuable Treasures After a Century Holding in Germany
A total of 12 cultural artefacts were officially returned to the Ethiopian nation after remaining by a family in Germany for over ten decades.
The artefacts, first gathered in the 1920's by Germany's then-envoy to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his spouse Hedwig, were handed over on Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at the capital's university.
The collection included headpieces, shields and paintings, each regarded as culturally important in the country.
"These items continue to represent a symbol of the long-standing and friendly connection between Germany and the Ethiopian people," said the German diplomat, Germany's representative to the East African country.
Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose parent was delivered during the family's service in the nation, presented the artefacts at a ceremony witnessed by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.
He explained that the household's goal to return the artefacts was to "showcase their appeal with the audience and preserve the culture and past linked to my parent's birth."
These objects were either considered gifts or acquisitions, based on the household.
"I want to express gratitude to the Weiss relatives for concretely demonstrating their deep appreciation for the nation by meticulously preserving these artifacts and crucially ensuring their repatriation to their rightful homeland," stated the tourism minister.
The minister continued that the items would soon be opened to the people for research and scholarly work, describing the action a landmark in safeguarding Ethiopia's historical legacy.
"Actions persist to repatriate ancient objects that are held in the possession of individuals and entities all over the planet," she said.
During colonialism in Africa, thousands of traditional artefacts were taken.
The call by nations in Africa for the restoration of looted artefacts has been met with a degree of progress in lately - although some items are just on short-term display.
Back in 2022, Germany was the first country to return some of the well-known Benin artifacts to the West African nation in an attempt to address its "troubled colonial history."
Similar Subjects
- Cultural Repatriation Initiatives in Africa
- This Significance of Imperial History on Contemporary Ethiopian Heritage
- Global Campaigns for the Restitution of Stolen Treasures
