The East African nation Takes Back Valuable Items After a Long Holding in a German Family

A total of 12 cultural artefacts were formally returned to Ethiopia after remaining by a family in Germany for in excess of ten decades.

These artefacts, initially acquired in the 1920s by Germany's diplomat to Ethiopia a German envoy and his wife Hedwig, were delivered on Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at the university in Addis Ababa.

This set contained crowns, protective shields and paintings, all considered as culturally important in the country.

"These items continue to stand as a symbol of the enduring and positive relationship between the German nation and Ethiopia," stated the German diplomat, Germany's representative to Ethiopia.

Professor a professor, whose father was born during the household's diplomatic posting in the nation, handed over the artefacts at a event joined by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.

He explained that the family's intention to restore the artefacts was to "display their appeal with the public and preserve the heritage and past connected to my father's birth."

The objects were either donations or acquisitions, based on the family.

"We want to thank Professor Weiss's relatives for concretely showing their deep love for Ethiopia by meticulously preserving these artifacts and crucially guaranteeing their repatriation to their rightful country," said the tourism minister.

She continued that the artefacts would soon be available to the public for study and academic study, terming the action a milestone in safeguarding the nation's cultural heritage.

"Efforts will continue to repatriate old items that are found in the custody of private persons and institutions around the world," the minister stated.

During colonial rule in Africa, thousands of traditional items were looted.

This demand by nations in Africa for the return of taken items has been responded to by some progress in recent years - although several objects are merely on temporary return.

In the year 2022, Germany was the pioneering country to give back a selection of the famous Benin Bronzes to the Nigerian people in an attempt to deal with its "complex past."

Related Subjects

• Cultural Restoration Initiatives in the Continent
• This Effect of Imperial Past on Contemporary African Culture
• Global Campaigns for the Restitution of Looted Artefacts