Ethiopia Receives Historic Treasures After a Century Stay in Germany
Exactly 12 cultural objects have been officially given back to Ethiopia following staying by a household from Germany for more than a century.
The items, first collected in the 1920s by the German then-envoy to Ethiopia a German envoy and his spouse his partner, were transferred on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University.
The collection included crowns, protective shields and canvases, all viewed as historically significant in the country.
"These items still stand as a symbol of the long-standing and positive relationship between Germany and Ethiopia," said Ferdinand von Weyhe, Germany's envoy to Ethiopia.
Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the household's diplomatic posting in the nation, presented the objects at a gathering joined by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.
He said that the household's aim to restore the artefacts was to "share their appeal with the audience and safeguard the culture and history connected to my parent's birth."
These items were either presents or acquisitions, based on the relatives.
"I would like to express gratitude to the Weiss household for concretely showing their deep affection for the nation by meticulously preserving these treasures and crucially securing their homecoming to their legitimate homeland," stated the tourism minister.
She noted that the items would in the near future be opened to the public for investigation and scholarly work, calling the move a milestone in safeguarding Ethiopia's cultural heritage.
"Efforts are ongoing to bring back old objects that are located in the custody of collectors and entities around the world," the minister said.
During colonialism in Africa, many of traditional items were looted.
The demand by nations in Africa for the restoration of looted objects has been responded to by certain positive outcomes in lately - although some objects are just on temporary return.
Back in two years ago, Germany was the first state to return a selection of the well-known historical items to the Nigerian people in an attempt to confront its "dark legacy."
Related Subjects
- Cultural Repatriation Efforts in Africa
- This Significance of Colonial History on Contemporary Ethiopian Heritage
- International Movements for the Restitution of Stolen Treasures
