The East African nation Welcomes Cultural Treasures Following a Long Residence in a German Family

Around Twelve cultural objects have been formally restored to Ethiopia following remaining by a German family for more than ten decades.

The treasures, initially acquired in the early twentieth century by the German then-envoy to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his spouse Hedwig, were handed over on midweek to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at the capital's university.

The set featured royal crowns, protective shields and paintings, each regarded as historically valuable in Ethiopia.

"The items continue to represent a mark of the lasting and friendly ties between Germany and the Ethiopian people," said Ferdinand von Weyhe, Germany's ambassador to the East African country.

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

He said that the family's aim to restore the artefacts was to "showcase their beauty with the people and preserve the culture and past linked to my father's birth."

The objects were either considered donations or acquisitions, as stated by the relatives.

"I would like to express gratitude to the Weiss household for concretely expressing their profound love for the nation by diligently safeguarding these artifacts and crucially ensuring their homecoming to their proper country," said the tourism minister.

The minister noted that the artefacts would in the near future be made accessible to the general audience for research and educational purposes, terming the action a milestone in protecting the nation's cultural heritage.

"Actions persist to repatriate ancient items that are located in the hands of collectors and institutions throughout the world," she said.

In the era of colonialism in the African continent, many of historical objects were plundered.

This demand by African countries for the repatriation of taken objects has been met with certain progress in lately - although several objects are merely on short-term display.

Back in 2022, the German government was the initial state to return a selection of the renowned historical items to the West African nation in a bid to deal with its "dark past."

Related Subjects

• Cultural Repatriation Initiatives in Africa
• This Effect of Imperial Past on Modern African Culture
• Global Campaigns for the Restitution of Looted Items