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Around 12 historical artefacts have been officially returned to Ethiopia following being kept by a household from Germany for in excess of 100 years.

These items, first collected in the 1920's by the German then-envoy to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his spouse his partner, were delivered on this past Wednesday to the Ethiopian Studies Institute at the capital's university.

This set contained royal crowns, shields and canvases, all considered as historically important in the nation.

"These artefacts continue to stand as a emblem of the lasting and positive relationship between Germany and Ethiopia," said Germany's envoy, the ambassador to Ethiopia.

Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was delivered during the family's diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, handed over the artefacts at a gathering witnessed by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.

He stated that the household's goal to return the items was to "share their beauty with the public and maintain the heritage and history connected to my father's origin."

These objects were either donations or purchases, based on the family.

"I would like to express gratitude to Professor Weiss's household for concretely expressing their sincere love for the nation by carefully maintaining these treasures and vitally securing their return to their proper country," said the official.

The minister continued that the artefacts would soon be opened to the general audience for investigation and academic study, describing the move a landmark in preserving Ethiopia's historical legacy.

"Initiatives are ongoing to return historical artifacts that are found in the hands of private persons and entities throughout the globe," the minister stated.

In the era of colonial rule in Africa, thousands of historical items were looted.

This call by nations in Africa for the repatriation of stolen objects has been met with some positive outcomes in lately - though a number of objects are just on temporary return.

Back in two years ago, Germany was the pioneering country to return a portion of the famous Benin artifacts to Nigeria as part of an effort to address its "complex legacy."

Related Topics

• Historical Repatriation Initiatives in the Continent
• The Effect of Colonial History on Contemporary African Heritage
• International Movements for the Restitution of Stolen Treasures