The East African nation Takes Back Valuable Artefacts After a 100-Year Holding in German Hands
Around 12 ancient artefacts have been ceremoniously restored to Ethiopia after being kept by a family in Germany for more than a century.
The artefacts, initially gathered in the early twentieth century by Germany's then-envoy to Ethiopia a German envoy and his spouse Hedwig, were transferred on midweek to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the capital's university.
The assortment featured headpieces, armor and artistic works, all regarded as historically valuable in Ethiopia.
"The artefacts continue to serve as a mark of the enduring and positive ties between Germany and Ethiopia," said Germany's envoy, Germany's representative to the East African country.
Dr. a professor, whose parent was born during the family's assignment in Ethiopia, handed over the artefacts at a gathering joined by Tourism Minister the tourism official.
He explained that the family's aim to restore the artefacts was to "share their appeal with the public and safeguard the culture and history connected to my father's beginning."
These items were either considered donations or buys, based on the household.
"I want to express gratitude to the Weiss household for practically showing their deep affection for Ethiopia by carefully preserving these artifacts and vitally securing their homecoming to their legitimate nation," commented the tourism minister.
The minister noted that the artefacts would soon be opened to the general audience for investigation and academic study, describing the action a significant step in safeguarding the nation's national treasures.
"Initiatives are ongoing to bring back old objects that are held in the custody of private persons and institutions throughout the world," she stated.
During imperial control in Africa, thousands of historical objects were plundered.
The request by African countries for the repatriation of taken objects has been responded to by some positive outcomes in recent years - even if a number of items are just on temporary return.
Back in 2022, the German government was the pioneering country to give back a portion of the famous Benin artifacts to the West African nation in a bid to deal with its "dark colonial history."
Similar Subjects
- Cultural Repatriation Efforts in the Continent
- The Significance of Colonial Past on Contemporary African Heritage
- International Movements for the Restitution of Stolen Treasures