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A total of 12 cultural objects were officially given back to the Ethiopian nation after staying by a German family for over 100 years.

The items, originally collected in the 1920's by Germany's representative to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his spouse Hedwig, were transferred on Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at Addis Ababa University.

The set featured crowns, protective shields and canvases, all considered as culturally valuable in the country.

"These artefacts still represent a mark of the enduring and amicable connection between the German nation and the Ethiopian people," said the German diplomat, the envoy to the East African country.

Professor a professor, whose parent was delivered during the household's assignment in Ethiopia, presented the items at a gathering joined by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.

He said that the household's goal to restore the treasures was to "share their appeal with the public and maintain the culture and past connected to my parent's beginning."

These items were either gifts or acquisitions, as stated by the household.

"We want to express gratitude to the Weiss family for practically showing their sincere appreciation for the nation by carefully safeguarding these artifacts and importantly guaranteeing their repatriation to their rightful country," commented the tourism minister.

The minister continued that the items would shortly be made accessible to the people for investigation and scholarly work, terming the move a milestone in safeguarding Ethiopia's national treasures.

"Initiatives will continue to return historical artifacts that are held in the hands of private persons and entities throughout the world," she affirmed.

In the era of imperial control in the African continent, many of traditional artefacts were taken.

This demand by the continent's states for the return of taken items has been answered with a degree of progress in recent years - although a number of artefacts are only on loan.

In two years ago, the German government was the pioneering nation to repatriate a selection of the renowned Benin Bronzes to the Nigerian people as part of an effort to confront its "complex legacy."

Similar Themes

• Cultural Return Movements in Africa
• The Impact of Colonial Past on Modern African Heritage
• International Movements for the Restitution of Looted Items