Ethiopia Receives Historic Treasures Following a Long Stay in a German Family
A total of Twelve historical objects have been officially returned to Ethiopia after being kept by a German family for over ten decades.
These artefacts, originally acquired in the 1920's by the German then-envoy to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were handed over on midweek to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the capital's university.
The collection included headpieces, shields and artistic works, each regarded as culturally important in the country.
"The items continue to stand as a emblem of the enduring and amicable ties between Germany and the Ethiopian people," said the German diplomat, the ambassador to Ethiopia.
Dr. a professor, whose father was born during the family's service in the nation, delivered the artefacts at a ceremony joined by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.
He stated that the family's aim to return the items was to "display their appeal with the public and preserve the heritage and history linked to my father's beginning."
The artefacts were either presents or buys, according to the household.
"We would like to thank the Weiss family for concretely demonstrating their deep affection for the nation by carefully preserving these artifacts and vitally guaranteeing their homecoming to their proper nation," stated the official.
She added that the items would soon be made accessible to the people for investigation and scholarly work, calling the move a landmark in protecting the nation's cultural heritage.
"Initiatives are ongoing to repatriate old artifacts that are located in the possession of individuals and institutions around the world," she affirmed.
During imperial control in the African continent, thousands of cultural artefacts were plundered.
This request by African countries for the return of taken items has been met with certain success in recent years - though several items are merely on temporary return.
Back in the year 2022, the German government was the initial nation to repatriate a selection of the famous historical items to Nigeria in an attempt to deal with its "complex legacy."
Connected Subjects
- Cultural Return Movements in the Continent
- This Significance of Imperial Past on Modern African Culture
- International Movements for the Restitution of Looted Artefacts
