The East African nation Welcomes Valuable Items After a 100-Year Holding in German Hands

A total of 12 ancient artefacts were formally restored to the Ethiopian nation following remaining by a German family for over ten decades.

The items, first acquired in the early twentieth century by the German representative to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were transferred on Wednesday to the research center at Addis Ababa University.

This assortment featured headpieces, armor and artistic works, all viewed as historically important in Ethiopia.

"The items still represent a mark of the enduring and positive ties between Germany and Ethiopia," said Ferdinand von Weyhe, the ambassador to Ethiopia.

Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the household's assignment in Ethiopia, delivered the artefacts at a ceremony witnessed by Tourism Minister the tourism official.

He explained that the household's aim to give back the items was to "display their appeal with the people and maintain the culture and past tied to my father's birth."

These objects were either donations or purchases, as stated by the relatives.

"I want to thank Professor Weiss's relatives for practically expressing their sincere affection for Ethiopia by carefully maintaining these artifacts and vitally securing their homecoming to their rightful country," stated the tourism minister.

The minister noted that the items would in the near future be opened to the public for research and scholarly work, terming the action a landmark in safeguarding Ethiopia's national treasures.

"Actions persist to bring back old items that are located in the hands of private persons and institutions around the globe," she affirmed.

During colonial rule in the African continent, thousands of cultural objects were looted.

This demand by the continent's states for the repatriation of taken artefacts has been responded to by certain success in lately - although some objects are only on loan.

Back in the year 2022, Germany was the first state to give back a portion of the renowned Benin artifacts to the West African nation as part of an effort to confront its "complex colonial history."

Related Themes

• Historical Restoration Efforts in the Continent
• The Effect of Imperial History on Contemporary Ethiopian Heritage
• International Campaigns for the Restitution of Stolen Items