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Around 12 historical artefacts were ceremoniously returned to Ethiopia following staying by a household from Germany for over 100 years.

The artefacts, first acquired in the 1920's by Germany's representative to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his spouse his partner, were delivered on this past Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at Addis Ababa University.

The assortment included royal crowns, protective shields and paintings, all considered as historically important in the nation.

"These items continue to serve as a emblem of the long-standing and amicable connection between Germany and the Ethiopian people," said the German diplomat, the representative to the East African country.

Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the family's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, delivered the items at a gathering joined by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa.

He stated that the family's goal to restore the artefacts was to "display their beauty with the people and preserve the heritage and past linked to my father's birth."

The objects were either donations or buys, based on the relatives.

"I would like to express gratitude to Professor Weiss's family for concretely showing their sincere affection for Ethiopia by diligently preserving these treasures and crucially ensuring their homecoming to their proper homeland," said the tourism minister.

The minister continued that the items would soon be opened to the general audience for investigation and academic study, describing the action a landmark in safeguarding Ethiopia's national treasures.

"Efforts are ongoing to bring back historical objects that are found in the possession of individuals and organizations throughout the planet," the minister stated.

During colonial rule in the African continent, many of cultural artefacts were looted.

The call by the continent's states for the repatriation of stolen objects has been answered with certain success in the past few years - although a number of items are merely on temporary return.

Back in 2022, the German government was the first nation to give back some of the well-known Benin artifacts to Nigeria as part of an effort to confront its "troubled colonial history."

Related Subjects

• Cultural Restoration Efforts in the Continent
• The Significance of Colonial Past on Modern Ethiopian Heritage
• International Campaigns for the Return of Looted Treasures