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Exactly 12 cultural items were ceremoniously restored to the Ethiopian nation after being kept by a German family for over a century.

The treasures, initially collected in the 1920's by Germany's then-envoy to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were delivered on Wednesday to the research center at the capital's university.

This assortment contained headpieces, shields and paintings, each regarded as culturally significant in Ethiopia.

"These treasures continue to stand as a mark of the lasting and amicable connection between the German nation and Ethiopia," said Germany's envoy, Germany's representative to the East African country.

Dr. a professor, whose father was born during the family's assignment in Ethiopia, presented the artefacts at a event attended by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.

He stated that the household's goal to return the items was to "share their splendor with the people and preserve the heritage and past connected to my father's birth."

These artefacts were either considered gifts or purchases, as stated by the family.

"I want to thank Professor Weiss's household for practically expressing their deep appreciation for the nation by carefully maintaining these artifacts and crucially securing their homecoming to their rightful nation," stated the tourism minister.

She noted that the items would in the near future be made accessible to the people for investigation and scholarly work, calling the decision a landmark in protecting Ethiopia's national treasures.

"Initiatives persist to bring back ancient objects that are held in the possession of private persons and entities throughout the globe," the minister affirmed.

During imperial control in the African continent, thousands of cultural objects were taken.

This demand by African countries for the return of stolen artefacts has been answered with some success in recent years - though several objects are just on short-term display.

In 2022, Germany was the first nation to repatriate some of the well-known Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in an attempt to confront its "dark past."

Related Themes

• Cultural Return Efforts in Africa
• The Effect of Imperial History on Contemporary African Heritage
• International Campaigns for the Restitution of Looted Items