Ethiopia Receives Cultural Treasures Following a Century Holding in a German Family

Around Twelve historical objects were formally given back to the Ethiopian nation following being kept by a German family for over 100 years.

The artefacts, originally gathered in the 1920s by the German diplomat to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his spouse his partner, were delivered on this past Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at Addis Ababa University.

The collection included royal crowns, armor and canvases, each considered as historically valuable in the nation.

"The items continue to represent a symbol of the lasting and positive relationship between Germany and Ethiopia," stated Ferdinand von Weyhe, the envoy to the East African country.

Professor Ramon Wyss, whose parent was delivered during the family's service in the nation, delivered the items at a ceremony joined by Tourism Minister the tourism official.

He explained that the household's intention to return the treasures was to "showcase their beauty with the audience and preserve the heritage and history connected to my parent's birth."

These artefacts were either gifts or acquisitions, according to the household.

"We want to thank the Weiss relatives for concretely expressing their deep affection for the nation by carefully preserving these items and importantly ensuring their repatriation to their proper homeland," said the minister of tourism.

The minister continued that the pieces would shortly be made accessible to the public for research and educational purposes, describing the action a landmark in protecting the nation's cultural heritage.

"Actions are ongoing to bring back old items that are found in the hands of private persons and institutions around the world," the minister stated.

During imperial control in the African continent, numerous of traditional objects were looted.

The request by nations in Africa for the restoration of looted objects has been responded to by certain success in recent years - even if some objects are only on short-term display.

In 2022, the German government was the first state to return some of the famous historical items to the West African nation in an attempt to deal with its "complex legacy."

Related Topics

• Cultural Repatriation Movements in Africa
• This Significance of Imperial Past on Contemporary Ethiopian Culture
• International Movements for the Restitution of Stolen Items