Ethiopia Takes Back Valuable Treasures Following a 100-Year Holding in German Hands
Around Twelve ancient artefacts were formally restored to the Ethiopian nation following remaining by a family in Germany for over 100 years.
The treasures, originally collected in the early twentieth century by the German diplomat to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were handed over on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the university in Addis Ababa.
This set included crowns, protective shields and paintings, all viewed as historically significant in the nation.
"The treasures still serve as a emblem of the long-standing and positive ties between Germany and Ethiopia," said Germany's envoy, the representative to the East African country.
Dr. a professor, whose father was delivered during the household's assignment in Ethiopia, delivered the artefacts at a event witnessed by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa.
He explained that the family's aim to give back the items was to "showcase their splendor with the audience and maintain the culture and history connected to my parent's birth."
These items were either considered gifts or buys, as stated by the relatives.
"We want to thank the Weiss household for concretely expressing their deep love for Ethiopia by diligently safeguarding these artifacts and vitally securing their repatriation to their rightful nation," commented the tourism minister.
The minister noted that the items would shortly be opened to the public for investigation and academic study, describing the decision a significant step in safeguarding the nation's national treasures.
"Efforts are ongoing to return old items that are held in the hands of private persons and entities around the planet," the minister said.
During colonialism in the African continent, numerous of historical artefacts were looted.
This call by the continent's states for the repatriation of taken artefacts has been met with a degree of positive outcomes in lately - even if a number of items are only on loan.
In 2022, Germany was the first nation to repatriate some of the famous historical items to the West African nation as part of an effort to deal with its "dark legacy."
Related Themes
- Cultural Repatriation Movements in Africa
- This Significance of Imperial History on Contemporary Ethiopian Heritage
- International Movements for the Return of Looted Items