Ethiopia Receives Valuable Items After a 100-Year Stay in German Hands
Exactly 12 cultural items were officially restored to Ethiopia after remaining by a household from Germany for more than a century.
The items, originally acquired in the 1920's by Germany's then-envoy to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his spouse his partner, were transferred on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University.
This assortment featured royal crowns, armor and canvases, each viewed as historically significant in the nation.
"These treasures still serve as a mark of the enduring and amicable ties between the German nation and Ethiopia," said Ferdinand von Weyhe, Germany's representative to the East African country.
Professor Ramon Wyss, whose parent was delivered during the household's diplomatic posting in the nation, delivered the artefacts at a gathering joined by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.
He stated that the household's aim to restore the artefacts was to "showcase their beauty with the people and preserve the heritage and past connected to my father's birth."
These objects were either presents or buys, according to the household.
"I want to express gratitude to Professor Weiss's family for practically demonstrating their deep affection for Ethiopia by diligently preserving these items and vitally ensuring their homecoming to their rightful homeland," said the official.
The minister continued that the artefacts would shortly be opened to the general audience for study and educational purposes, calling the move a significant step in safeguarding the nation's historical legacy.
"Actions are ongoing to return historical objects that are located in the hands of individuals and organizations throughout the planet," the minister said.
In the era of imperial control in the African continent, many of traditional artefacts were looted.
This call by nations in Africa for the return of looted items has been met with a degree of positive outcomes in recent years - even if some items are only on short-term display.
In two years ago, Germany was the pioneering nation to repatriate a selection of the famous Benin artifacts to the Nigerian people in an attempt to deal with its "troubled legacy."
Similar Subjects
- Historical Repatriation Initiatives in the Continent
- This Effect of Colonial Past on Modern African Heritage
- International Movements for the Return of Stolen Artefacts
