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A total of 12 ancient items were officially restored to the Ethiopian nation following staying by a household from Germany for in excess of a century.

These items, initially collected in the early twentieth century by the German diplomat to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife his partner, were handed over on midweek to the research center at Addis Ababa University.

The collection contained crowns, protective shields and canvases, all considered as culturally important in the country.

"The items continue to represent a emblem of the enduring and friendly connection between the German nation and the Ethiopian people," said Ferdinand von Weyhe, the ambassador to the East African country.

Dr. Ramon Wyss, whose parent was delivered during the family's service in Ethiopia, delivered the artefacts at a gathering joined by the Minister of Tourism the tourism official.

He explained that the family's aim to return the treasures was to "showcase their appeal with the people and safeguard the heritage and past tied to my father's birth."

The items were either considered gifts or buys, based on the relatives.

"We want to thank the Weiss family for actively expressing their deep affection for Ethiopia by diligently safeguarding these items and vitally guaranteeing their repatriation to their legitimate country," stated the minister of tourism.

She noted that the pieces would soon be available to the people for research and academic study, terming the action a milestone in safeguarding Ethiopia's cultural heritage.

"Initiatives will continue to bring back old artifacts that are found in the possession of private persons and institutions throughout the world," she said.

In the era of colonialism in the African continent, thousands of traditional objects were taken.

The call by African countries for the repatriation of stolen objects has been responded to by a degree of success in the past few years - even if a number of artefacts are merely on temporary return.

Back in two years ago, Germany was the pioneering country to give back a selection of the famous Benin Bronzes to Nigeria in an attempt to confront its "troubled legacy."

Similar Subjects

• Historical Return Initiatives in the Continent
• The Impact of Imperial Past on Contemporary African Culture
• International Movements for the Return of Looted Artefacts