The East African nation Receives Cultural Artefacts After a Century Residence in German Hands
Around Twelve cultural items have been ceremoniously returned to the Ethiopian nation after remaining by a household from Germany for over 100 years.
These items, originally collected in the 1920s by the German then-envoy to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his wife Hedwig, were delivered on Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at the university in Addis Ababa.
This assortment contained crowns, armor and canvases, all viewed as culturally valuable in the nation.
"The items still serve as a mark of the long-standing and friendly ties between Germany and the Ethiopian people," said Ferdinand von Weyhe, Germany's envoy to Ethiopia.
Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the family's service in the nation, handed over the objects at a gathering witnessed by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.
He explained that the family's goal to return the artefacts was to "showcase their beauty with the public and preserve the culture and past linked to my father's origin."
The items were either presents or buys, as stated by the household.
"We want to thank the Weiss family for actively demonstrating their sincere appreciation for Ethiopia by meticulously preserving these treasures and crucially securing their homecoming to their rightful country," said the tourism minister.
She noted that the items would soon be available to the public for study and scholarly work, calling the decision a significant step in preserving the nation's cultural heritage.
"Efforts will continue to repatriate ancient objects that are found in the possession of private persons and organizations around the planet," the minister affirmed.
In the era of colonial rule in the African continent, many of cultural objects were taken.
The demand by nations in Africa for the return of looted artefacts has been answered with a degree of progress in recent years - although some objects are only on short-term display.
In two years ago, the German government was the pioneering country to give back a portion of the famous historical items to Nigeria in an attempt to confront its "troubled legacy."
Connected Subjects
- Historical Restoration Movements in Africa
- The Significance of Colonial History on Contemporary Ethiopian Heritage
- International Campaigns for the Return of Looted Items