Ethiopia Takes Back Cultural Treasures Following a Century Residence in German Hands
Around Twelve ancient items have been formally returned to the Ethiopian nation after staying by a German family for over ten decades.
The treasures, initially collected in the 1920s by Germany's then-envoy to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his spouse Hedwig, were delivered on this past Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at the university in Addis Ababa.
This collection included crowns, armor and canvases, all regarded as historically significant in the nation.
"These treasures continue to serve as a mark of the enduring and positive ties between the German nation and Ethiopia," remarked Ferdinand von Weyhe, Germany's ambassador to the East African country.
Professor a professor, whose father was born during the household's service in the nation, handed over the artefacts at a event attended by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa.
He explained that the household's goal to return the items was to "display their beauty with the public and preserve the culture and history linked to my father's beginning."
The objects were either donations or purchases, according to the family.
"We would like to express gratitude to the Weiss household for practically expressing their profound love for Ethiopia by meticulously preserving these items and vitally guaranteeing their repatriation to their legitimate nation," commented the minister of tourism.
The minister added that the pieces would shortly be available to the public for research and academic study, terming the action a landmark in preserving the nation's cultural heritage.
"Initiatives are ongoing to bring back old artifacts that are found in the hands of private persons and entities all over the world," the minister stated.
During colonial rule in Africa, thousands of traditional artefacts were plundered.
The demand by African countries for the restoration of taken artefacts has been met with some positive outcomes in the past few years - although a number of items are merely on short-term display.
Back in the year 2022, Germany was the initial nation to give back a selection of the famous historical items to the Nigerian people in an attempt to deal with its "dark past."
Related Topics
- Historical Restoration Movements in Africa
- The Significance of Imperial Past on Modern Ethiopian Culture
- Global Movements for the Return of Looted Artefacts
