Ethiopia Takes Back Cultural Artefacts Following a Century Stay in a German Family
Exactly 12 ancient objects have been ceremoniously given back to the Ethiopian nation after being kept by a family in Germany for more than a century.
The items, initially collected in the early twentieth century by the German representative to Ethiopia a German envoy and his spouse his partner, were delivered on Wednesday to the research center at the capital's university.
This collection included royal crowns, shields and paintings, all considered as culturally important in Ethiopia.
"These artefacts continue to represent a symbol of the lasting and friendly ties between Germany and the Ethiopian people," stated the German diplomat, the envoy to the East African country.
Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the household's service in the nation, presented the objects at a ceremony joined by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa.
He stated that the household's goal to restore the treasures was to "showcase their appeal with the people and maintain the heritage and history connected to my parent's birth."
The artefacts were either gifts or buys, as stated by the family.
"We would like to thank the Weiss household for practically showing their sincere affection for Ethiopia by meticulously safeguarding these items and crucially ensuring their repatriation to their proper country," stated the tourism minister.
The minister noted that the pieces would shortly be available to the public for investigation and academic study, describing the action a significant step in protecting Ethiopia's cultural heritage.
"Efforts persist to return old items that are located in the hands of collectors and entities throughout the globe," she affirmed.
In the era of imperial control in Africa, many of traditional objects were looted.
The request by the continent's states for the return of taken items has been met with certain positive outcomes in the past few years - though some objects are only on short-term display.
Back in the year 2022, Germany was the initial state to return a selection of the well-known Benin Bronzes to the West African nation in a bid to confront its "troubled legacy."
Related Subjects
- Cultural Repatriation Efforts in the Continent
- The Effect of Colonial Past on Modern Ethiopian Heritage
- International Movements for the Return of Stolen Treasures
