After being kept by a German family for more than 100 years, twelve historical artefacts have been formally returned to Ethiopia.
Originally gathered in the 1920s by Germany’s then-envoy to Ethiopia, Franz Weiss, and his wife, Hedwig, the artefacts were handed over on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University, according to the BBC.
The artefacts consist of crowns, shields and paintings, all seen as culturally and historically crucial in Ethiopia’s history.
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“The artefacts still stand as a symbol of the long-standing and friendly relationship between Germany and Ethiopia,”Germany’s envoy to Ethiopia, Ferdinand von Weyhe said.
Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the family’s diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, passed on the artefacts at a ceremony where Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa was present.
Kassa stated that the family’s intention to return the artefacts was to “share their beauty with the public and preserve the culture and history connected to my father’s birth.”
According to the family, these items were either gifts or purchases.
“I would like to thank Professor Weiss’s family for practically expressing their profound love for Ethiopia by meticulously preserving these artifacts and crucially ensuring their return to their rightful homeland,” said the tourism minister.
Also, she added that the pieces would soon be opened to the public for research and academic study, deeming the move a new place in safeguarding Ethiopia’s cultural heritage.
“Efforts will continue to bring back ancient artifacts that are found in the hands of individuals and institutions all over the world,” she said.
During colonial rule in Africa, thousands of cultural artefacts were plundered.
In recent years, the call by African countries for the return of looted items has been met with some success, despite the fact that some items are only on loan.
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Germany was the first country to return some of the famous Benin back in 2022, to Nigeria in a bid to deal with its “dark colonial history.”
