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A total of 12 cultural items have been officially given back to the Ethiopian nation following remaining by a German family for more than 100 years.

These items, first gathered in the 1920s by Germany's diplomat to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his spouse his partner, were transferred on midweek to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at Addis Ababa University.

This set included headpieces, armor and artistic works, all regarded as historically valuable in the nation.

"The items continue to serve as a symbol of the long-standing and amicable connection between the German nation and the Ethiopian people," remarked Germany's envoy, the ambassador to the East African country.

Professor a professor, whose father was born during the family's diplomatic posting in the nation, presented the artefacts at a event attended by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.

He stated that the household's intention to return the treasures was to "showcase their splendor with the people and maintain the heritage and history connected to my father's birth."

The items were either considered donations or purchases, as stated by the family.

"I want to thank the Weiss relatives for practically demonstrating their profound love for Ethiopia by carefully maintaining these artifacts and vitally ensuring their return to their proper country," stated the minister of tourism.

The minister noted that the items would soon be made accessible to the general audience for investigation and scholarly work, describing the move a milestone in protecting the nation's national treasures.

"Efforts persist to repatriate historical items that are found in the hands of private persons and institutions all over the planet," she stated.

During colonial rule in the African continent, many of historical artefacts were taken.

This demand by the continent's states for the return of taken items has been answered with a degree of positive outcomes in lately - though several items are only on temporary return.

Back in the year 2022, Germany was the pioneering state to repatriate some of the renowned Benin artifacts to the West African nation in a bid to confront its "troubled past."

Related Subjects

• Cultural Repatriation Movements in the Continent
• This Impact of Imperial Past on Contemporary African Culture
• Global Movements for the Return of Stolen Treasures