Ethiopia Takes Back Historic Treasures Following a 100-Year Holding in a German Family

Around 12 historical items were formally restored to the Ethiopian nation after staying by a household from Germany for more than a century.

These treasures, first gathered in the 1920's by Germany's then-envoy to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his spouse his partner, were handed over on midweek to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University.

This assortment featured headpieces, armor and paintings, all regarded as historically valuable in Ethiopia.

"These treasures continue to represent a emblem of the enduring and amicable relationship between Germany and Ethiopia," remarked Ferdinand von Weyhe, Germany's envoy to the East African country.

Dr. a professor, whose parent was born during the household's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, delivered the artefacts at a gathering joined by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.

He stated that the family's aim to restore the artefacts was to "share their appeal with the people and preserve the culture and past connected to my parent's origin."

The items were either donations or buys, as stated by the household.

"I want to thank Professor Weiss's relatives for practically demonstrating their profound affection for the nation by meticulously maintaining these treasures and vitally securing their homecoming to their legitimate nation," said the minister of tourism.

She added that the artefacts would soon be available to the general audience for study and educational purposes, calling the decision a milestone in preserving the nation's cultural heritage.

"Efforts persist to return old objects that are found in the hands of individuals and entities throughout the planet," the minister stated.

During colonialism in Africa, numerous of traditional items were taken.

The request by African countries for the repatriation of stolen items has been met with a degree of progress in lately - although some artefacts are merely on short-term display.

Back in two years ago, Germany was the first nation to repatriate a portion of the well-known Benin artifacts to the West African nation as part of an effort to deal with its "dark colonial history."

Similar Subjects

• Cultural Restoration Movements in the Continent
• This Impact of Imperial History on Contemporary Ethiopian Culture
• Global Campaigns for the Restitution of Stolen Artefacts