Ethiopia Takes Back Historic Artefacts After a 100-Year Residence in a German Family
Around 12 historical items have been ceremoniously given back to Ethiopia after being kept by a family in Germany for over 100 years.
These items, first acquired in the 1920s by Germany's then-envoy to Ethiopia a German envoy and his wife Hedwig, were transferred on Wednesday to the research center at Addis Ababa University.
This set included crowns, shields and paintings, each considered as culturally valuable in the nation.
"The items still serve as a mark of the lasting and friendly relationship between the German nation and Ethiopia," said Germany's envoy, the representative to Ethiopia.
Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose parent was delivered during the household's assignment in the nation, delivered the items at a event attended by Tourism Minister the tourism official.
He stated that the family's goal to restore the treasures was to "share their splendor with the audience and safeguard the heritage and past connected to my parent's beginning."
These items were either gifts or purchases, as stated by the relatives.
"I want to thank the Weiss household for concretely showing their deep love for Ethiopia by meticulously maintaining these items and vitally guaranteeing their repatriation to their proper homeland," stated the minister of tourism.
She noted that the items would in the near future be opened to the general audience for research and educational purposes, describing the move a significant step in protecting Ethiopia's historical legacy.
"Initiatives will continue to bring back historical objects that are found in the custody of private persons and organizations throughout the globe," the minister affirmed.
During colonialism in Africa, many of cultural artefacts were plundered.
The request by nations in Africa for the return of taken artefacts has been responded to by certain success in the past few years - even if a number of objects are just on temporary return.
In 2022, the German government was the first nation to give back some of the well-known Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in an attempt to address its "dark past."
Related Themes
- Historical Repatriation Initiatives in Africa
- This Significance of Imperial History on Contemporary African Heritage
- International Movements for the Restitution of Stolen Items
