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A total of 12 ancient objects have been formally given back to the Ethiopian nation following being kept by a household from Germany for more than 100 years.

These treasures, initially gathered in the early twentieth century by the German representative to Ethiopia a German envoy and his spouse Hedwig, were handed over on midweek to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at Addis Ababa University.

The assortment contained crowns, armor and artistic works, each viewed as historically valuable in the nation.

"These items still serve as a emblem of the lasting and friendly connection between Germany and Ethiopia," said the German diplomat, Germany's representative to Ethiopia.

Professor a professor, whose parent was delivered during the household's assignment in Ethiopia, delivered the objects at a ceremony attended by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.

He said that the household's aim to restore the items was to "showcase their beauty with the people and safeguard the culture and past linked to my parent's birth."

The objects were either donations or buys, as stated by the relatives.

"We want to express gratitude to Professor Weiss's family for concretely expressing their profound affection for Ethiopia by carefully maintaining these items and importantly ensuring their repatriation to their legitimate nation," stated the tourism minister.

The minister noted that the pieces would in the near future be opened to the general audience for investigation and scholarly work, describing the action a milestone in preserving the nation's cultural heritage.

"Efforts are ongoing to return historical artifacts that are held in the possession of private persons and institutions around the planet," the minister affirmed.

In the era of imperial control in Africa, numerous of cultural artefacts were looted.

This demand by African countries for the return of looted artefacts has been responded to by some progress in recent years - though several artefacts are merely on loan.

Back in 2022, Germany was the initial nation to return some of the renowned Benin Bronzes to the Nigerian people as part of an effort to address its "complex past."

Related Subjects

• Cultural Repatriation Movements in the Continent
• The Impact of Imperial History on Contemporary Ethiopian Culture
• International Campaigns for the Return of Looted Artefacts