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Exactly Twelve ancient items were formally given back to the Ethiopian nation after being kept by a household from Germany for over 100 years.

The items, first gathered in the 1920's by Germany's diplomat to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his spouse his partner, were transferred on this past Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the capital's university.

This set included royal crowns, protective shields and paintings, all considered as historically significant in the country.

"These items still serve as a emblem of the long-standing and positive relationship between the German nation and the Ethiopian people," stated Germany's envoy, the envoy to the East African country.

Professor a professor, whose parent was born during the household's diplomatic posting in the nation, delivered the objects at a gathering attended by Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa.

He stated that the family's aim to return the artefacts was to "display their splendor with the people and safeguard the heritage and history tied to my father's birth."

The artefacts were either presents or acquisitions, based on the household.

"We would like to express gratitude to the Weiss relatives for practically demonstrating their deep affection for the nation by diligently maintaining these items and vitally guaranteeing their return to their rightful nation," stated the tourism minister.

She noted that the items would in the near future be opened to the general audience for research and educational purposes, calling the move a milestone in safeguarding the nation's historical legacy.

"Efforts will continue to repatriate ancient objects that are held in the possession of private persons and organizations around the globe," the minister said.

In the era of colonial rule in Africa, many of cultural objects were looted.

This call by African countries for the return of stolen objects has been answered with some progress in lately - although a number of objects are merely on loan.

In two years ago, Germany was the initial state to repatriate some of the famous historical items to Nigeria in an attempt to deal with its "dark legacy."

Connected Subjects

• Cultural Repatriation Initiatives in Africa
• The Impact of Imperial History on Contemporary Ethiopian Heritage
• Global Movements for the Restitution of Looted Artefacts