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A total of 12 cultural items have been officially restored to Ethiopia following being kept by a German family for more than 100 years.

These treasures, initially acquired in the 1920s by the German representative to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were delivered on Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at the capital's university.

This assortment featured headpieces, protective shields and canvases, all considered as culturally significant in Ethiopia.

"These treasures still represent a symbol of the long-standing and positive ties between Germany and the Ethiopian people," said the German diplomat, the representative to Ethiopia.

Professor a professor, whose father was delivered during the family's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, presented the objects at a ceremony attended by Tourism Minister the tourism official.

He explained that the household's aim to restore the artefacts was to "showcase their appeal with the audience and preserve the heritage and past tied to my father's birth."

These artefacts were either presents or buys, based on the relatives.

"We want to express gratitude to the Weiss family for practically demonstrating their deep appreciation for the nation by carefully maintaining these items and importantly guaranteeing their homecoming to their rightful country," said the tourism minister.

The minister added that the artefacts would shortly be available to the general audience for research and academic study, describing the move a landmark in safeguarding the nation's cultural heritage.

"Initiatives are ongoing to repatriate old artifacts that are held in the possession of private persons and organizations around the planet," she stated.

During imperial control in the African continent, thousands of traditional artefacts were taken.

The request by the continent's states for the restoration of looted objects has been answered with certain success in the past few years - even if several artefacts are only on temporary return.

In two years ago, Germany was the first country to repatriate a portion of the well-known Benin Bronzes to the Nigerian people as part of an effort to address its "dark past."

Related Themes

• Cultural Return Initiatives in the Continent
• The Significance of Colonial History on Contemporary Ethiopian Culture
• Global Campaigns for the Return of Looted Artefacts