Ethiopia Receives Valuable Artefacts Following a Century Stay in German Hands
A total of 12 ancient items have been ceremoniously returned to Ethiopia after being kept by a family in Germany for more than 100 years.
These treasures, initially gathered in the early twentieth century by Germany's representative to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife Hedwig, were handed over on midweek to the research center at the university in Addis Ababa.
The collection included crowns, armor and paintings, each viewed as historically valuable in Ethiopia.
"These treasures still represent a mark of the lasting and amicable ties between the German nation and the Ethiopian people," said Ferdinand von Weyhe, Germany's ambassador to the East African country.
Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the household's service in the nation, delivered the items at a ceremony attended by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.
He stated that the household's aim to return the treasures was to "showcase their beauty with the audience and preserve the heritage and past linked to my father's birth."
These artefacts were either considered presents or buys, based on the relatives.
"I want to thank the Weiss household for actively demonstrating their profound affection for the nation by meticulously maintaining these items and importantly ensuring their homecoming to their rightful nation," said the tourism minister.
The minister added that the pieces would in the near future be opened to the public for investigation and scholarly work, terming the move a landmark in safeguarding the nation's cultural heritage.
"Efforts will continue to return old objects that are held in the hands of individuals and entities throughout the globe," she stated.
During imperial control in the African continent, thousands of traditional artefacts were taken.
This request by nations in Africa for the restoration of looted objects has been responded to by some positive outcomes in the past few years - though a number of items are just on loan.
In the year 2022, the German government was the pioneering nation to repatriate a portion of the well-known Benin Bronzes to the Nigerian people in an attempt to confront its "troubled past."
Similar Themes
- Cultural Return Efforts in Africa
- The Effect of Imperial Past on Modern Ethiopian Culture
- International Campaigns for the Restitution of Stolen Artefacts
