🔗 Share this article

Exactly Twelve historical artefacts were formally restored to Ethiopia after staying by a household from Germany for more than 100 years.

These treasures, originally gathered in the 1920s by the German then-envoy to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his spouse Hedwig, were handed over on this past Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the university in Addis Ababa.

The collection contained royal crowns, armor and paintings, each regarded as historically valuable in the nation.

"These artefacts continue to stand as a mark of the long-standing and positive connection between the German nation and Ethiopia," stated Germany's envoy, the envoy to the East African country.

Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the household's service in Ethiopia, handed over the objects at a ceremony witnessed by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.

He said that the family's goal to return the treasures was to "share their beauty with the people and safeguard the culture and past connected to my parent's beginning."

These items were either considered donations or acquisitions, according to the family.

"We would like to thank the Weiss family for practically expressing their profound appreciation for Ethiopia by carefully maintaining these treasures and importantly ensuring their repatriation to their legitimate country," said the official.

She noted that the pieces would in the near future be made accessible to the general audience for investigation and scholarly work, describing the move a milestone in preserving Ethiopia's historical legacy.

"Initiatives are ongoing to bring back old objects that are located in the possession of collectors and entities throughout the globe," she affirmed.

In the era of colonial rule in Africa, many of historical objects were taken.

This request by nations in Africa for the return of looted objects has been answered with some progress in recent years - although some objects are only on loan.

Back in two years ago, the German government was the initial nation to give back a portion of the renowned Benin artifacts to the West African nation in an attempt to confront its "troubled past."

Connected Subjects

• Historical Return Movements in the Continent
• This Impact of Colonial History on Contemporary Ethiopian Heritage
• International Campaigns for the Return of Stolen Artefacts