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Exactly 12 historical items were officially given back to Ethiopia after remaining by a family in Germany for more than a century.

These artefacts, originally acquired in the 1920's by Germany's representative to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his spouse Hedwig, were transferred on midweek to the research center at the capital's university.

The set featured headpieces, shields and canvases, each considered as culturally important in Ethiopia.

"These items continue to stand as a symbol of the long-standing and amicable ties between the German nation and the Ethiopian people," remarked Germany's envoy, the representative to Ethiopia.

Dr. a professor, whose father was born during the family's diplomatic posting in the nation, delivered the items at a event witnessed by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa.

He explained that the family's goal to give back the items was to "display their appeal with the people and maintain the heritage and history connected to my parent's beginning."

These items were either donations or acquisitions, according to the relatives.

"I would like to express gratitude to the Weiss family for actively expressing their profound love for the nation by diligently preserving these treasures and vitally ensuring their repatriation to their rightful nation," said the minister of tourism.

She continued that the artefacts would shortly be made accessible to the people for research and scholarly work, describing the decision a landmark in safeguarding Ethiopia's national treasures.

"Actions persist to repatriate historical items that are located in the custody of private persons and organizations all over the globe," she affirmed.

In the era of colonialism in the African continent, numerous of cultural objects were looted.

The demand by the continent's states for the restoration of taken artefacts has been met with some positive outcomes in the past few years - even if a number of objects are merely on short-term display.

Back in two years ago, the German government was the initial state to return a selection of the well-known historical items to the West African nation in an attempt to address its "troubled legacy."

Connected Themes

• Cultural Return Initiatives in the Continent
• This Impact of Imperial Past on Contemporary Ethiopian Culture
• Global Movements for the Return of Looted Items