The East African nation Takes Back Historic Items After a 100-Year Stay in Germany

Exactly Twelve historical artefacts were ceremoniously restored to Ethiopia following staying by a family in Germany for more than a century.

The items, first acquired in the 1920's by Germany's then-envoy to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his spouse Hedwig, were delivered on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the university in Addis Ababa.

The collection included royal crowns, shields and paintings, each viewed as historically important in the nation.

"These artefacts still stand as a mark of the lasting and positive ties between the German nation and Ethiopia," said Ferdinand von Weyhe, Germany's envoy to the East African country.

Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose parent was born during the family's service in the nation, delivered the objects at a ceremony joined by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa.

He stated that the family's goal to restore the items was to "showcase their splendor with the audience and maintain the culture and history tied to my father's origin."

The items were either considered gifts or purchases, according to the relatives.

"I want to thank the Weiss relatives for actively demonstrating their profound appreciation for the nation by diligently preserving these artifacts and crucially securing their return to their proper nation," stated the minister of tourism.

She continued that the pieces would shortly be available to the general audience for study and educational purposes, terming the action a significant step in safeguarding the nation's historical legacy.

"Actions are ongoing to return historical artifacts that are located in the custody of private persons and institutions all over the planet," the minister stated.

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

The call by the continent's states for the repatriation of looted artefacts has been met with certain progress in the past few years - though some artefacts are just on temporary return.

In 2022, Germany was the pioneering state to repatriate a portion of the renowned Benin Bronzes to the Nigerian people in a bid to deal with its "troubled colonial history."

Connected Themes

• Cultural Restoration Efforts in Africa
• The Impact of Colonial History on Modern Ethiopian Culture
• International Movements for the Restitution of Looted Items