🔗 Share this article The East African nation Receives Cultural Artefacts Following a Century Holding in German Hands This Group Comprises Royal Headpieces, Shields and Paintings Each Viewed as Culturally Significant A total of 12 cultural items have been officially restored to the Ethiopian nation following being kept by a German family for more than 100 years. The artefacts, first collected in the early twentieth century by Germany's diplomat to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife Hedwig, were handed over on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the capital's university. The collection included royal crowns, armor and artistic works, each considered as historically valuable in Ethiopia. "These artefacts continue to stand as a symbol of the enduring and positive ties between the German nation and Ethiopia," said the German diplomat, the ambassador to the East African country. Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose parent was delivered during the household's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, presented the objects at a gathering witnessed by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa. He explained that the household's aim to return the artefacts was to "display their appeal with the audience and maintain the heritage and past connected to my parent's beginning." These Pieces Are Set to Be Opened to the People for Study and Educational Purposes These items were either considered presents or acquisitions, based on the household. "We would like to express gratitude to the Weiss relatives for actively expressing their profound affection for the nation by diligently maintaining these items and importantly guaranteeing their homecoming to their rightful homeland," stated the official. The minister added that the items would soon be made accessible to the people for research and scholarly work, terming the move a significant step in safeguarding the nation's cultural heritage. "Initiatives persist to repatriate ancient items that are found in the custody of individuals and institutions all over the planet," she affirmed. In the era of colonialism in Africa, thousands of traditional artefacts were looted. This request by African countries for the restoration of stolen items has been answered with a degree of success in recent years - though a number of items are only on short-term display. In two years ago, Germany was the first country to give back a portion of the renowned Benin artifacts to Nigeria in a bid to deal with its "dark colonial history." Related Topics Historical Repatriation Movements in the Continent The Effect of Imperial History on Modern Ethiopian Culture International Movements for the Restitution of Stolen Items