Ethiopia Takes Back Valuable Items Following a 100-Year Stay in a German Family

Exactly Twelve ancient objects were formally given back to Ethiopia after remaining by a family in Germany for more than ten decades.

The items, first gathered in the 1920's by Germany's diplomat to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his spouse Hedwig, were handed over on this past Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at the university in Addis Ababa.

This collection contained royal crowns, armor and canvases, all considered as culturally important in the country.

"These items continue to stand as a symbol of the enduring and amicable relationship between the German nation and the Ethiopian people," stated Ferdinand von Weyhe, Germany's ambassador to the East African country.

Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose father was delivered during the household's service in the nation, handed over the items at a gathering attended by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.

He said that the family's intention to give back the treasures was to "share their appeal with the public and safeguard the heritage and past connected to my father's birth."

These objects were either considered donations or acquisitions, based on the household.

"We want to thank the Weiss relatives for concretely showing their profound love for Ethiopia by diligently preserving these treasures and importantly ensuring their return to their proper country," stated the official.

The minister continued that the items would soon be available to the people for research and scholarly work, terming the action a landmark in protecting the nation's national treasures.

"Actions persist to return old items that are located in the possession of private persons and institutions throughout the world," the minister affirmed.

During colonialism in Africa, thousands of cultural objects were plundered.

This call by the continent's states for the repatriation of taken artefacts has been answered with certain progress in recent years - although several objects are merely on short-term display.

Back in two years ago, Germany was the first nation to return a portion of the famous historical items to the Nigerian people in an attempt to confront its "complex past."

Similar Themes

• Cultural Restoration Initiatives in Africa
• The Impact of Imperial Past on Modern African Culture
• International Movements for the Restitution of Looted Treasures