A total of 12 cultural artefacts have been ceremoniously restored to the Ethiopian nation following being kept by a German family for more than 100 years.
These artefacts, originally acquired in the 1920s by the German diplomat to the Ethiopian empire Franz Weiss and his spouse Hedwig, were transferred on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University.
The collection contained headpieces, protective shields and canvases, all considered as culturally significant in Ethiopia.
"The artefacts continue to serve as a symbol of the lasting and amicable relationship between Germany and the Ethiopian people," said Germany's envoy, the ambassador to Ethiopia.
Professor Ramon Wyss, whose father was delivered during the family's assignment in Ethiopia, presented the items at a gathering joined by Tourism Minister the tourism official.
He stated that the family's goal to restore the artefacts was to "share their beauty with the public and preserve the heritage and history tied to my parent's origin."
The objects were either presents or buys, based on the family.
"We want to express gratitude to the Weiss family for concretely showing their sincere love for Ethiopia by carefully maintaining these treasures and crucially securing their homecoming to their proper country," stated the tourism minister.
She added that the pieces would shortly be made accessible to the people for investigation and scholarly work, calling the decision a milestone in preserving Ethiopia's national treasures.
"Efforts will continue to bring back ancient objects that are found in the hands of individuals and entities around the world," she stated.
During imperial control in the African continent, thousands of traditional artefacts were looted.
The call by African countries for the repatriation of taken objects has been met with some positive outcomes in recent years - although several artefacts are only on loan.
Back in two years ago, the German government was the pioneering state to give back a portion of the famous historical items to Nigeria as part of an effort to confront its "complex colonial history."
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