Ethiopia Welcomes Home Historic Artefacts Held in Germany for a Century

Ethiopia has received a set of twelve historic artefacts that had been kept in Germany for more than one hundred years, marking a moment of cultural celebration and renewed international cooperation. The items, which include crowns, shields and traditional paintings, were formally handed over on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University.

The artefacts were originally collected in the 1920s by Franz Weiss, Germany’s envoy to Ethiopia at the time, and his wife Hedwig. After spending generations in the family’s possession, the items have now been returned to Ethiopia in a gesture both countries described as meaningful and long overdue.

At the handover ceremony in Addis Ababa, Germany’s envoy Ferdinand von Weyhe said the return of the collection highlights the long standing friendship between the two nations. He noted that these objects, once kept privately, will now be accessible to the Ethiopian public, scholars and cultural institutions.

The handover was led by Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was born in Ethiopia during the Weiss family’s diplomatic stay. Wyss said the decision to return the artefacts was driven by a sense of responsibility and respect. The family wanted to ensure, he said, that the objects’ “beauty, history and cultural importance” could be shared with Ethiopians, rather than remain behind closed doors in Europe.

Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa welcomed the gesture and praised the Weiss family for carefully preserving the items for a century. She described the return as an act of genuine affection for Ethiopia and an important step in the country’s broader efforts to recover historical treasures scattered around the world. She announced that the artefacts will be made available for academic research, museum exhibitions and public viewing.

The return of these items comes amid a wider push across Africa to reclaim cultural heritage taken or displaced during the colonial era. Thousands of African artefacts are still held in European museums and private collections. While progress has been slow, recent years have seen growing momentum, with some countries agreeing to transfer or loan back significant objects.

Germany has been one of the more proactive nations in this movement. In 2022, it became the first country to return some of the famous Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, acknowledging what officials called a need to confront its “dark colonial history.” The return of the Ethiopian artefacts is seen as another step in that direction.

For Ethiopia, the reinstated collection represents more than decorative objects. They are tangible links to traditions, royal history, craftsmanship and cultural identity. Their arrival back home is expected to inspire renewed attention to Ethiopia’s rich heritage and strengthen international dialogue on restitution.

As Minister Selamawit noted, the country will continue working to identify and bring back artefacts held by institutions and individuals around the world. The latest return is a reminder that while history cannot be undone, cultural justice is possible through cooperation, goodwill and respect.