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Exactly 12 ancient items have been officially given back to Ethiopia following being kept by a household from Germany for in excess of ten decades.

The treasures, initially acquired in the 1920s by the German then-envoy to Ethiopia a German envoy and his wife Hedwig, were handed over on midweek to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the capital's university.

The assortment featured headpieces, protective shields and artistic works, all considered as culturally valuable in the country.

"These items continue to serve as a symbol of the lasting and amicable connection between Germany and the Ethiopian people," remarked the German diplomat, Germany's representative to the East African country.

Professor a professor, whose parent was born during the household's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, delivered the items at a ceremony joined by Tourism Minister the tourism official.

He stated that the household's intention to restore the treasures was to "display their splendor with the public and preserve the heritage and history linked to my father's birth."

These artefacts were either considered presents or acquisitions, as stated by the relatives.

"We would like to thank Professor Weiss's relatives for actively showing their deep affection for the nation by carefully safeguarding these items and crucially ensuring their homecoming to their legitimate country," said the official.

She continued that the artefacts would in the near future be opened to the general audience for research and scholarly work, describing the action a landmark in preserving Ethiopia's cultural heritage.

"Initiatives will continue to return old artifacts that are held in the possession of private persons and entities all over the world," the minister affirmed.

In the era of colonialism in the African continent, thousands of traditional objects were looted.

This demand by African countries for the restoration of taken objects has been answered with a degree of positive outcomes in the past few years - though several items are only on short-term display.

Back in the year 2022, Germany was the initial state to repatriate a portion of the famous Benin artifacts to the West African nation in an attempt to confront its "complex colonial history."

Connected Subjects

• Cultural Restoration Initiatives in Africa
• This Effect of Colonial Past on Contemporary Ethiopian Culture
• Global Campaigns for the Restitution of Looted Items