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Around Twelve ancient objects have been officially restored to the Ethiopian nation after being kept by a family in Germany for more than a century.

The items, originally collected in the 1920s by the German diplomat to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his spouse Hedwig, were delivered on this past Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University.

This collection included royal crowns, shields and paintings, each considered as historically important in Ethiopia.

"The artefacts continue to stand as a mark of the lasting and amicable ties between Germany and Ethiopia," remarked Ferdinand von Weyhe, the envoy to the East African country.

Professor a professor, whose parent was delivered during the household's assignment in the nation, presented the artefacts at a event attended by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.

He said that the family's goal to give back the treasures was to "share their beauty with the public and preserve the culture and past tied to my parent's birth."

These artefacts were either considered presents or purchases, based on the household.

"We would like to thank Professor Weiss's family for practically demonstrating their sincere love for the nation by carefully maintaining these items and vitally securing their repatriation to their legitimate homeland," said the minister of tourism.

The minister continued that the artefacts would soon be made accessible to the public for research and academic study, describing the move a milestone in safeguarding the nation's national treasures.

"Initiatives persist to bring back historical items that are located in the hands of collectors and organizations throughout the world," she stated.

In the era of imperial control in the African continent, thousands of historical items were taken.

The demand by African countries for the return of taken items has been met with certain success in the past few years - although some artefacts are just on temporary return.

Back in 2022, Germany was the pioneering state to give back a selection of the renowned Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in a bid to deal with its "dark legacy."

Similar Themes

• Historical Restoration Efforts in the Continent
• The Significance of Colonial History on Modern African Culture
• Global Movements for the Restitution of Stolen Items