The East African nation Takes Back Historic Artefacts Following a Century Holding in German Hands
A total of 12 historical items were ceremoniously returned to Ethiopia following remaining by a German family for more than ten decades.
These treasures, first collected in the 1920's by the German representative to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were handed over on this past Wednesday to the research center at the capital's university.
The set contained crowns, protective shields and canvases, each viewed as culturally valuable in Ethiopia.
"These artefacts still stand as a emblem of the enduring and amicable relationship between Germany and Ethiopia," said Ferdinand von Weyhe, Germany's envoy to Ethiopia.
Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the family's assignment in the nation, handed over the objects at a ceremony joined by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.
He said that the household's aim to give back the items was to "share their beauty with the audience and maintain the heritage and past linked to my parent's origin."
The items were either considered donations or purchases, as stated by the relatives.
"I want to thank the Weiss household for concretely showing their deep love for Ethiopia by diligently maintaining these treasures and crucially securing their repatriation to their rightful nation," stated the official.
She added that the pieces would shortly be opened to the public for research and academic study, describing the move a milestone in protecting the nation's cultural heritage.
"Efforts persist to repatriate historical items that are found in the hands of private persons and organizations around the planet," the minister stated.
During colonialism in the African continent, many of traditional artefacts were plundered.
This request by nations in Africa for the restoration of looted objects has been answered with certain progress in lately - though some items are only on temporary return.
In two years ago, the German government was the first nation to return a selection of the famous Benin artifacts to the West African nation in an attempt to address its "complex past."
Related Topics
- Historical Return Initiatives in the Continent
- This Significance of Imperial History on Contemporary Ethiopian Heritage
- International Campaigns for the Restitution of Looted Treasures
