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Exactly 12 cultural objects were ceremoniously given back to the Ethiopian nation following remaining by a household from Germany for more than 100 years.

These artefacts, originally gathered in the 1920s by the German then-envoy to Ethiopia a German envoy and his spouse Hedwig, were delivered on this past Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the university in Addis Ababa.

This collection contained headpieces, armor and artistic works, all considered as culturally valuable in the nation.

"These items still represent a mark of the long-standing and amicable ties between Germany and Ethiopia," said the German diplomat, Germany's envoy to Ethiopia.

Professor a professor, whose parent was born during the household's assignment in Ethiopia, presented the artefacts at a ceremony witnessed by Tourism Minister the tourism official.

He stated that the household's intention to restore the items was to "share their appeal with the public and preserve the heritage and past connected to my parent's beginning."

The items were either considered donations or purchases, based on the family.

"We want to thank the Weiss relatives for concretely demonstrating their profound appreciation for Ethiopia by carefully maintaining these items and crucially securing their homecoming to their legitimate country," commented the tourism minister.

The minister added that the artefacts would shortly be opened to the public for research and educational purposes, calling the action a milestone in safeguarding the nation's cultural heritage.

"Efforts persist to return ancient objects that are found in the custody of individuals and entities around the world," she said.

During colonial rule in the African continent, thousands of cultural objects were looted.

This request by African countries for the return of taken items has been met with a degree of positive outcomes in recent years - although some objects are just on short-term display.

Back in two years ago, the German government was the initial nation to repatriate a selection of the renowned Benin artifacts to Nigeria in an attempt to deal with its "troubled colonial history."

Similar Themes

• Cultural Return Initiatives in the Continent
• The Impact of Colonial Past on Modern Ethiopian Culture
• International Movements for the Restitution of Looted Artefacts