The East African nation Receives Historic Treasures After a 100-Year Holding in a German Family
Around 12 historical objects have been formally given back to the Ethiopian nation following staying by a household from Germany for more than a century.
The artefacts, first gathered in the 1920s by Germany's then-envoy to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were delivered on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the capital's university.
The collection included royal crowns, shields and paintings, each considered as culturally valuable in the nation.
"The treasures still stand as a mark of the lasting and amicable connection between the German nation and the Ethiopian people," said Germany's envoy, the ambassador to the East African country.
Dr. a professor, whose parent was delivered during the family's assignment in the nation, handed over the artefacts at a event joined by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.
He stated that the household's aim to restore the artefacts was to "share their appeal with the public and safeguard the culture and history connected to my father's birth."
These items were either gifts or purchases, based on the household.
"I want to thank the Weiss household for actively demonstrating their profound love for Ethiopia by meticulously safeguarding these items and vitally securing their repatriation to their rightful homeland," commented the official.
The minister added that the items would shortly be available to the general audience for investigation and academic study, describing the move a milestone in preserving the nation's cultural heritage.
"Actions persist to repatriate historical artifacts that are found in the hands of individuals and organizations throughout the globe," she said.
In the era of imperial control in the African continent, many of historical artefacts were looted.
The call by nations in Africa for the restoration of taken objects has been met with certain success in recent years - even if several items are only on short-term display.
Back in two years ago, Germany was the first country to repatriate a selection of the famous Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in an attempt to confront its "troubled past."
Connected Themes
- Cultural Repatriation Efforts in the Continent
- The Significance of Colonial Past on Contemporary Ethiopian Heritage
- International Movements for the Return of Stolen Items
