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A total of Twelve cultural artefacts were officially returned to Ethiopia after remaining by a German family for over a century.

These artefacts, first gathered in the 1920s by the German diplomat to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his spouse his partner, were handed over on this past Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the capital's university.

This set included headpieces, shields and paintings, each regarded as culturally valuable in Ethiopia.

"These artefacts continue to represent a emblem of the long-standing and positive ties between the German nation and the Ethiopian people," said Ferdinand von Weyhe, the ambassador to the East African country.

Professor a professor, whose father was delivered during the household's assignment in Ethiopia, delivered the items at a ceremony witnessed by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa.

He stated that the household's goal to give back the items was to "display their beauty with the audience and safeguard the culture and past connected to my father's beginning."

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

"I would like to thank Professor Weiss's relatives for concretely expressing their profound affection for the nation by diligently safeguarding these artifacts and crucially guaranteeing their return to their rightful homeland," commented the minister of tourism.

The minister added that the items would shortly be available to the general audience for research and educational purposes, terming the move a significant step in safeguarding the nation's national treasures.

"Efforts persist to repatriate historical artifacts that are located in the possession of private persons and organizations all over the globe," the minister affirmed.

During colonial rule in Africa, thousands of traditional artefacts were taken.

The demand by nations in Africa for the restoration of stolen items has been answered with some progress in recent years - though several items are merely on short-term display.

Back in 2022, Germany was the pioneering nation to return some of the well-known Benin artifacts to the West African nation in a bid to address its "dark colonial history."

Similar Subjects

• Cultural Return Efforts in Africa
• The Significance of Imperial History on Modern African Heritage
• Global Movements for the Restitution of Looted Treasures