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Around 12 historical items have been officially restored to Ethiopia after staying by a family in Germany for over 100 years.

These treasures, initially collected in the 1920s by Germany's diplomat to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife Hedwig, were delivered on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the university in Addis Ababa.

This assortment included headpieces, shields and artistic works, each considered as culturally important in the nation.

"The treasures continue to stand as a symbol of the lasting and friendly ties between Germany and Ethiopia," remarked Germany's envoy, Germany's representative to Ethiopia.

Professor a professor, whose father was born during the family's service in the nation, handed over the artefacts at a ceremony attended by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.

He stated that the family's goal to return the artefacts was to "share their splendor with the audience and maintain the heritage and history tied to my father's beginning."

These objects were either considered gifts or buys, as stated by the relatives.

"I would like to thank the Weiss family for practically showing their profound affection for the nation by diligently preserving these items and vitally securing their return to their legitimate nation," said the tourism minister.

The minister noted that the artefacts would soon be made accessible to the public for investigation and academic study, terming the action a landmark in protecting the nation's historical legacy.

"Actions will continue to repatriate historical artifacts that are located in the hands of private persons and institutions all over the globe," she stated.

In the era of imperial control in Africa, many of cultural objects were taken.

This demand by African countries for the restoration of looted items has been answered with some progress in recent years - though a number of objects are only on short-term display.

Back in 2022, Germany was the initial country to return some of the famous historical items to the West African nation as part of an effort to confront its "complex colonial history."

Connected Themes

• Historical Restoration Efforts in Africa
• The Significance of Imperial History on Modern African Heritage
• International Campaigns for the Restitution of Looted Items