The East African nation Takes Back Cultural Artefacts Following a 100-Year Stay in German Hands
Around Twelve historical items have been officially returned to Ethiopia following staying by a household from Germany for in excess of 100 years.
The treasures, originally gathered in the 1920's by the German then-envoy to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife Hedwig, were delivered on this past Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the university in Addis Ababa.
This set featured headpieces, armor and paintings, each viewed as historically significant in the nation.
"These items still stand as a emblem of the lasting and amicable ties between Germany and the Ethiopian people," stated Germany's envoy, the envoy to the East African country.
Professor Ramon Wyss, whose parent was born during the household's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, delivered the objects at a gathering attended by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.
He explained that the family's intention to restore the items was to "showcase their beauty with the people and safeguard the culture and past connected to my father's beginning."
These items were either donations or buys, as stated by the household.
"I want to thank Professor Weiss's relatives for concretely showing their deep appreciation for Ethiopia by carefully maintaining these items and vitally securing their homecoming to their proper country," stated the official.
The minister continued that the pieces would soon be made accessible to the public for study and academic study, calling the move a landmark in safeguarding Ethiopia's national treasures.
"Actions persist to repatriate historical items that are held in the custody of individuals and organizations around the globe," she said.
In the era of colonialism in Africa, thousands of historical artefacts were looted.
This request by African countries for the return of looted objects has been met with certain success in recent years - though several artefacts are just on loan.
Back in two years ago, the German government was the initial nation to repatriate some of the well-known historical items to Nigeria in an attempt to confront its "troubled past."
Connected Themes
- Cultural Restoration Movements in Africa
- The Impact of Colonial History on Modern African Culture
- International Movements for the Return of Looted Artefacts