The East African nation Welcomes Valuable Treasures After a Century Stay in a German Family
A total of Twelve cultural objects have been officially given back to the Ethiopian nation following staying by a German family for over 100 years.
These artefacts, originally collected in the early twentieth century by Germany's then-envoy to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his spouse his partner, were delivered on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the university in Addis Ababa.
The set contained crowns, armor and paintings, all regarded as culturally significant in Ethiopia.
"The items still represent a emblem of the long-standing and amicable relationship between Germany and Ethiopia," stated Ferdinand von Weyhe, Germany's representative to Ethiopia.
Professor Ramon Wyss, whose parent was delivered during the household's assignment in Ethiopia, presented the artefacts at a gathering joined by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.
He explained that the family's aim to restore the artefacts was to "display their beauty with the people and maintain the heritage and past tied to my parent's birth."
These items were either considered donations or acquisitions, as stated by the relatives.
"We would like to thank the Weiss relatives for actively showing their deep affection for the nation by meticulously safeguarding these items and importantly ensuring their return to their proper country," commented the tourism minister.
The minister added that the artefacts would shortly be made accessible to the people for research and educational purposes, describing the action a significant step in protecting the nation's historical legacy.
"Efforts persist to repatriate old items that are held in the custody of individuals and institutions throughout the world," she stated.
During imperial control in Africa, many of traditional artefacts were plundered.
The demand by the continent's states for the restoration of looted objects has been answered with a degree of progress in the past few years - although a number of items are only on temporary return.
Back in the year 2022, Germany was the first country to return a selection of the renowned historical items to Nigeria in a bid to address its "troubled colonial history."
Connected Topics
- Historical Repatriation Efforts in Africa
- This Impact of Colonial Past on Modern Ethiopian Heritage
- Global Movements for the Return of Looted Items
