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Exactly Twelve cultural objects have been officially given back to Ethiopia following staying by a household from Germany for over ten decades.

These items, first acquired in the 1920's by the German then-envoy to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were handed over on Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at the university in Addis Ababa.

This assortment featured royal crowns, protective shields and artistic works, each regarded as historically important in Ethiopia.

"These artefacts still represent a emblem of the long-standing and amicable connection between the German nation and Ethiopia," stated Germany's envoy, Germany's ambassador to Ethiopia.

Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was delivered during the family's assignment in Ethiopia, delivered the items at a ceremony attended by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.

He explained that the household's aim to restore the artefacts was to "showcase their splendor with the public and maintain the culture and history tied to my father's beginning."

These objects were either considered gifts or purchases, according to the household.

"We would like to express gratitude to the Weiss household for practically demonstrating their profound appreciation for Ethiopia by carefully preserving these artifacts and importantly securing their homecoming to their proper homeland," commented the official.

She continued that the pieces would soon be opened to the general audience for investigation and educational purposes, calling the action a significant step in protecting the nation's cultural heritage.

"Efforts persist to bring back ancient objects that are located in the hands of collectors and institutions throughout the world," she affirmed.

In the era of colonial rule in Africa, numerous of historical items were plundered.

This demand by African countries for the return of taken artefacts has been answered with a degree of success in recent years - though several objects are only on temporary return.

In 2022, the German government was the initial nation to repatriate a portion of the renowned Benin artifacts to the Nigerian people in an attempt to confront its "troubled legacy."

Connected Topics

• Historical Return Movements in Africa
• The Effect of Colonial History on Modern African Heritage
• Global Campaigns for the Restitution of Stolen Artefacts