🔗 Share this article

A total of Twelve historical objects have been formally returned to Ethiopia following being kept by a family in Germany for more than 100 years.

The treasures, initially acquired in the 1920s by the German then-envoy to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his spouse his partner, were delivered on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the university in Addis Ababa.

This collection contained headpieces, protective shields and paintings, all regarded as culturally important in the country.

"The artefacts still serve as a symbol of the long-standing and friendly ties between the German nation and Ethiopia," said Ferdinand von Weyhe, the ambassador to the East African country.

Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose parent was born during the family's service in the nation, delivered the objects at a gathering joined by Tourism Minister the tourism official.

He explained that the family's aim to restore the items was to "display their splendor with the audience and safeguard the heritage and history connected to my parent's beginning."

These objects were either considered gifts or buys, according to the household.

"I want to express gratitude to the Weiss relatives for practically demonstrating their profound love for Ethiopia by diligently safeguarding these treasures and vitally guaranteeing their homecoming to their rightful nation," commented the tourism minister.

The minister noted that the pieces would in the near future be made accessible to the public for research and educational purposes, describing the decision a milestone in preserving Ethiopia's historical legacy.

"Initiatives are ongoing to return old artifacts that are found in the possession of collectors and entities around the globe," the minister said.

During colonial rule in the African continent, thousands of cultural items were plundered.

The request by African countries for the repatriation of stolen items has been responded to by some success in the past few years - even if a number of artefacts are just on short-term display.

In two years ago, the German government was the first nation to give back some of the renowned Benin Bronzes to the Nigerian people as part of an effort to deal with its "dark past."

Similar Topics

• Cultural Repatriation Movements in Africa
• This Impact of Colonial Past on Modern African Culture
• Global Movements for the Restitution of Looted Items