Ethiopia Welcomes Historic Items Following a Century Stay in German Hands
Around 12 cultural objects were ceremoniously restored to the Ethiopian nation following remaining by a household from Germany for in excess of ten decades.
The treasures, initially gathered in the 1920's by Germany's representative to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his spouse Hedwig, were handed over on Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at Addis Ababa University.
The collection contained royal crowns, shields and paintings, each considered as historically valuable in the country.
"The treasures continue to stand as a symbol of the enduring and amicable connection between the German nation and the Ethiopian people," said the German diplomat, Germany's ambassador to the East African country.
Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the family's service in the nation, presented the objects at a event attended by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.
He explained that the family's aim to restore the treasures was to "showcase their appeal with the public and safeguard the heritage and past tied to my father's beginning."
These items were either donations or buys, based on the relatives.
"We want to express gratitude to the Weiss household for concretely expressing their profound appreciation for the nation by diligently safeguarding these items and crucially securing their homecoming to their legitimate country," stated the minister of tourism.
She added that the artefacts would soon be opened to the general audience for research and educational purposes, terming the decision a milestone in safeguarding the nation's historical legacy.
"Efforts will continue to bring back old objects that are held in the possession of collectors and entities around the planet," she said.
In the era of colonialism in Africa, numerous of traditional objects were taken.
This demand by nations in Africa for the restoration of taken artefacts has been answered with some positive outcomes in the past few years - although some artefacts are only on loan.
In 2022, Germany was the initial country to give back a selection of the famous Benin artifacts to the West African nation in an attempt to address its "troubled legacy."
Connected Themes
- Historical Restoration Efforts in Africa
- The Effect of Imperial History on Modern Ethiopian Heritage
- International Movements for the Return of Looted Artefacts
