Ethiopia Welcomes Historic Treasures After a Long Holding in Germany
A total of 12 ancient items have been formally restored to the Ethiopian nation after being kept by a household from Germany for more than ten decades.
The treasures, initially gathered in the early twentieth century by the German diplomat to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were delivered on midweek to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at the capital's university.
The assortment included royal crowns, armor and canvases, all regarded as culturally valuable in the country.
"The treasures still serve as a mark of the long-standing and friendly connection between the German nation and Ethiopia," said the German diplomat, the representative to Ethiopia.
Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose parent was born during the family's assignment in Ethiopia, handed over the artefacts at a event witnessed by Tourism Minister the tourism official.
He stated that the family's intention to return the items was to "showcase their appeal with the public and maintain the culture and history tied to my parent's birth."
These artefacts were either considered donations or acquisitions, according to the relatives.
"I would like to express gratitude to Professor Weiss's family for practically expressing their sincere love for Ethiopia by meticulously preserving these items and crucially ensuring their homecoming to their legitimate homeland," stated the tourism minister.
She added that the pieces would soon be opened to the general audience for investigation and educational purposes, terming the action a landmark in safeguarding the nation's national treasures.
"Initiatives persist to repatriate historical objects that are held in the custody of individuals and institutions throughout the globe," the minister stated.
During colonial rule in the African continent, thousands of cultural objects were looted.
This request by African countries for the return of looted objects has been answered with a degree of success in lately - though several objects are just on short-term display.
In the year 2022, Germany was the initial country to return some of the renowned Benin Bronzes to Nigeria as part of an effort to confront its "troubled legacy."
Similar Themes
- Cultural Repatriation Movements in the Continent
- The Impact of Imperial History on Contemporary African Heritage
- International Movements for the Return of Stolen Items
