Ethiopia Receives Valuable Treasures Following a Century Stay in Germany
Around 12 cultural artefacts were ceremoniously restored to the Ethiopian nation after remaining by a family in Germany for over a century.
The artefacts, first gathered in the early twentieth century by Germany's then-envoy to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his spouse his partner, were handed over on this past Wednesday to the research center at the university in Addis Ababa.
This assortment featured headpieces, shields and paintings, all considered as culturally significant in the country.
"These artefacts still stand as a symbol of the enduring and friendly relationship between the German nation and Ethiopia," remarked Ferdinand von Weyhe, the envoy to the East African country.
Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was delivered during the family's service in Ethiopia, delivered the objects at a ceremony attended by Tourism Minister the tourism official.
He explained that the household's goal to restore the treasures was to "showcase their appeal with the people and safeguard the culture and history tied to my parent's origin."
These objects were either donations or purchases, according to the family.
"We would like to thank Professor Weiss's family for concretely demonstrating their profound love for the nation by carefully maintaining these treasures and importantly securing their repatriation to their proper homeland," stated the minister of tourism.
She noted that the pieces would in the near future be opened to the public for study and academic study, describing the decision a landmark in safeguarding the nation's historical legacy.
"Efforts are ongoing to bring back ancient items that are found in the custody of collectors and institutions throughout the globe," she said.
In the era of colonial rule in the African continent, numerous of traditional objects were plundered.
This call by African countries for the repatriation of looted artefacts has been answered with some success in the past few years - even if a number of items are only on short-term display.
Back in 2022, the German government was the pioneering nation to repatriate some of the well-known Benin artifacts to the West African nation in a bid to address its "complex past."
Related Topics
- Historical Return Initiatives in Africa
- The Impact of Colonial Past on Modern Ethiopian Culture
- Global Movements for the Return of Looted Artefacts
