Twelve historical artifacts have been formally returned to Ethiopia after being held by a German family for over a century. The artifacts were handed over to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University on Wednesday.
Origin of the Artifacts
The collection, which includes crowns, shields, and paintings, was originally assembled in the 1920s by Franz Weiss, who served as Germany's envoy to Ethiopia at the time, and his wife, Hedwig. The family has stated that the items were either gifts or purchases made during their diplomatic posting in Ethiopia.
Handover Event
Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the family's time in Ethiopia, presented the items during a ceremony attended by Ethiopian Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa. Germany's envoy to Ethiopia, Ferdinand von Weyhe, remarked that the artifacts symbolize the "long-standing and friendly relationship between Germany and Ethiopia."
Professor Wyss articulated his family's intention behind the return, stating it was to "share their beauty with the public and preserve the culture and history connected to my father's birth."
Ethiopia's Reception and Future Plans
Ethiopia's Tourism Minister acknowledged the Weiss family for their preservation and return of the artifacts. She announced that the pieces would be made available to the public for research and academic study, characterizing the event as a significant development in safeguarding Ethiopia's cultural heritage. The minister also indicated ongoing efforts to repatriate ancient artifacts currently held by individuals and institutions worldwide.
Broader Context of Repatriation
Thousands of cultural artifacts were removed from Africa during the colonial period. In recent years, requests from African nations for the return of these items have achieved some success, exemplified by Germany's return of a portion of the Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in 2022.