Ethiopia Takes Back Cultural Treasures After a 100-Year Stay in Germany
A total of Twelve cultural artefacts have been formally returned to the Ethiopian nation after being kept by a family in Germany for more than ten decades.
The artefacts, originally gathered in the 1920s by the German then-envoy to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his spouse his partner, were handed over on midweek to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University.
This assortment featured royal crowns, shields and paintings, all regarded as culturally significant in Ethiopia.
"The items continue to represent a symbol of the long-standing and friendly connection between Germany and the Ethiopian people," remarked the German diplomat, Germany's envoy to Ethiopia.
Dr. a professor, whose parent was born during the household's assignment in Ethiopia, delivered the artefacts at a event witnessed by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.
He said that the household's aim to give back the artefacts was to "display their splendor with the people and preserve the culture and past tied to my parent's origin."
These items were either donations or acquisitions, according to the household.
"We want to thank Professor Weiss's household for concretely showing their sincere love for the nation by carefully preserving these treasures and vitally guaranteeing their homecoming to their rightful nation," said the tourism minister.
The minister continued that the items would shortly be made accessible to the general audience for study and educational purposes, terming the move a landmark in safeguarding Ethiopia's national treasures.
"Efforts are ongoing to repatriate historical items that are held in the custody of individuals and organizations around the globe," she said.
In the era of colonialism in Africa, thousands of historical artefacts were plundered.
The request by African countries for the return of stolen items has been met with a degree of positive outcomes in the past few years - though some items are just on temporary return.
In the year 2022, the German government was the initial nation to give back some of the renowned Benin artifacts to the West African nation in a bid to confront its "troubled colonial history."
Similar Themes
- Historical Repatriation Movements in the Continent
- This Significance of Imperial History on Modern African Heritage
- International Movements for the Restitution of Looted Treasures
