Around 12 historical objects have been officially returned to the Ethiopian nation following staying by a family in Germany for in excess of a century.
These items, first acquired in the early twentieth century by the German representative to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his spouse his partner, were transferred on this past Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at the capital's university.
The collection included royal crowns, shields and canvases, each regarded as historically significant in Ethiopia.
"The treasures still stand as a symbol of the enduring and friendly ties between Germany and the Ethiopian people," remarked Ferdinand von Weyhe, Germany's ambassador to Ethiopia.
Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the household's service in Ethiopia, delivered the artefacts at a gathering joined by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa.
He said that the family's aim to return the treasures was to "share their splendor with the people and maintain the heritage and history connected to my father's birth."
The objects were either donations or purchases, according to the family.
"We want to thank Professor Weiss's relatives for concretely expressing their profound appreciation for Ethiopia by carefully maintaining these artifacts and crucially securing their return to their proper homeland," stated the tourism minister.
The minister noted that the items would in the near future be opened to the general audience for research and scholarly work, calling the decision a significant step in safeguarding the nation's national treasures.
"Actions are ongoing to bring back old artifacts that are located in the custody of private persons and institutions around the planet," she affirmed.
In the era of colonialism in Africa, many of historical artefacts were plundered.
The demand by nations in Africa for the return of stolen artefacts has been met with some progress in the past few years - although a number of items are just on loan.
Back in two years ago, the German government was the initial state to give back a selection of the famous Benin artifacts to the Nigerian people as part of an effort to deal with its "troubled past."
Connected Topics
- Historical Return Efforts in the Continent
- The Impact of Imperial Past on Contemporary African Heritage
- Global Campaigns for the Restitution of Looted Treasures
