Ethiopia Welcomes Cultural Items After a 100-Year Residence in Germany

A total of 12 historical items have been officially restored to the Ethiopian nation after remaining by a family in Germany for in excess of 100 years.

The treasures, first gathered in the early twentieth century by Germany's representative to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife Hedwig, were delivered on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the university in Addis Ababa.

The assortment included royal crowns, shields and artistic works, all considered as historically valuable in the country.

"The artefacts still represent a mark of the lasting and amicable ties between Germany and Ethiopia," stated Ferdinand von Weyhe, the ambassador to the East African country.

Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose father was delivered during the household's assignment in the nation, handed over the artefacts at a event joined by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa.

He said that the family's aim to give back the treasures was to "share their appeal with the public and preserve the heritage and past connected to my father's origin."

These objects were either considered gifts or buys, based on the family.

"We want to express gratitude to Professor Weiss's household for actively demonstrating their deep affection for Ethiopia by meticulously safeguarding these items and vitally guaranteeing their homecoming to their rightful nation," commented the minister of tourism.

The minister added that the items would in the near future be opened to the people for study and educational purposes, describing the action a milestone in preserving the nation's cultural heritage.

"Initiatives persist to repatriate historical items that are found in the possession of collectors and organizations all over the planet," the minister affirmed.

In the era of colonialism in Africa, numerous of traditional artefacts were taken.

The call by nations in Africa for the repatriation of looted items has been responded to by some positive outcomes in the past few years - although some artefacts are just on loan.

Back in 2022, the German government was the initial state to return some of the well-known historical items to the Nigerian people in a bid to address its "troubled legacy."

Similar Topics

• Historical Return Movements in Africa
• This Impact of Imperial History on Modern Ethiopian Culture
• Global Campaigns for the Restitution of Stolen Treasures