The East African nation Receives Valuable Artefacts After a Century Stay in German Hands

Exactly Twelve cultural items have been officially given back to Ethiopia after being kept by a family in Germany for in excess of 100 years.

These items, originally gathered in the early twentieth century by Germany's then-envoy to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his wife Hedwig, were transferred on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the capital's university.

This set contained royal crowns, armor and artistic works, each considered as culturally important in the nation.

"The items continue to represent a mark of the long-standing and positive ties between Germany and the Ethiopian people," said Germany's envoy, the representative to Ethiopia.

Professor a professor, whose parent was born during the family's assignment in the nation, presented the artefacts at a gathering witnessed by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.

He said that the family's aim to restore the artefacts was to "showcase their appeal with the people and maintain the heritage and history connected to my father's birth."

These items were either donations or acquisitions, according to the family.

"I want to express gratitude to the Weiss relatives for practically expressing their profound appreciation for the nation by meticulously maintaining these items and crucially securing their homecoming to their legitimate country," stated the official.

She noted that the artefacts would shortly be made accessible to the public for research and educational purposes, terming the move a milestone in protecting the nation's national treasures.

"Initiatives persist to bring back old artifacts that are located in the hands of private persons and institutions throughout the planet," she said.

During imperial control in the African continent, many of historical items were taken.

The call by African countries for the return of looted objects has been answered with some success in the past few years - although some objects are merely on short-term display.

In 2022, the German government was the pioneering country to return a selection of the renowned historical items to the Nigerian people in an attempt to deal with its "dark legacy."

Connected Topics

• Cultural Restoration Movements in Africa
• This Impact of Imperial Past on Modern African Culture
• Global Movements for the Restitution of Stolen Items