Ethiopia Receives Historic Artefacts Following a 100-Year Stay in German Hands

A total of 12 ancient artefacts have been ceremoniously restored to Ethiopia after being kept by a German family for over ten decades.

The items, first collected in the 1920's by the German representative to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his spouse Hedwig, were delivered on this past Wednesday to the research center at Addis Ababa University.

The assortment included headpieces, armor and paintings, all regarded as culturally important in the country.

"These treasures still serve as a emblem of the long-standing and friendly relationship between the German nation and Ethiopia," remarked Ferdinand von Weyhe, the envoy to Ethiopia.

Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the household's diplomatic posting in the nation, presented the items at a gathering attended by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.

He stated that the family's aim to restore the items was to "showcase their beauty with the public and safeguard the heritage and history tied to my father's beginning."

The objects were either gifts or acquisitions, based on the relatives.

"We would like to express gratitude to Professor Weiss's family for concretely expressing their deep affection for the nation by diligently preserving these artifacts and importantly securing their repatriation to their legitimate nation," commented the official.

The minister continued that the items would in the near future be opened to the public for study and educational purposes, calling the decision a significant step in protecting the nation's national treasures.

"Initiatives will continue to return old items that are held in the hands of private persons and institutions around the globe," she affirmed.

During colonialism in Africa, thousands of cultural objects were plundered.

This demand by African countries for the return of taken objects has been met with certain success in the past few years - although some items are only on loan.

Back in 2022, the German government was the first nation to return a portion of the well-known historical items to the West African nation in a bid to confront its "complex past."

Connected Topics

• Historical Return Efforts in the Continent
• The Significance of Imperial Past on Contemporary African Culture
• Global Movements for the Return of Stolen Items