Cultural victory as Ethiopia recovers 12 artefacts taken to Germany in the 1920s

Ethiopia has received 12 historic artefacts from Germany after more than a century, marking a significant step in restoring the country’s cultural heritage and deepening ties between the two nations.

The collection — which includes ceremonial crowns, shields and paintings — was formally handed over to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies (IES) at Addis Ababa University during a ceremony attended by senior Ethiopian and German officials.

Originally collected in the 1920s by Germany’s envoy to Ethiopia, the artefacts are expected to support research, boost tourism and strengthen cultural preservation efforts.

The handover ceremony, held at Ras Makonnen Hall, brought together Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa, AAU President Samuel Kifle, and Germany’s chargé d’affaires Ferdinand von Weyhe. The items were donated by Professor Ramon Wyss and his niece Alice Wise, descendants of Fritz Weiss, the German envoy who acquired the pieces nearly a century ago.

Friendly relationship

The repatriation process has been underway since 2016.

Germany’s envoy, Ferdinand von Weyhe, said the artefacts “still stand as a symbol of the long-standing and friendly relationship between Germany and Ethiopia.”

He noted that their return was made possible through the Wyss family and highlighted a Goethe Institut exhibition showcasing 51 rare photographs taken by Envoy Weiss and his wife Hedwig to commemorate 120 years of diplomatic relations between Ethiopia and Germany.

Prof Ramon Wyss, whose father was born during the family’s diplomatic posting in Ethiopia, said the family wanted the artefacts to be shared with the public while safeguarding the history tied to his father’s birth.

“Our intention was to share their beauty with the public and preserve the culture and history connected to my father’s birth,” Ramon said, as quoted by the BBC.

According to the family, the items had been acquired either as gifts or through purchase.

Tourism Minister Selamawit Kassa praised the Wyss family for preserving the artefacts and ensuring their return.

“I would like to thank Professor Weiss’s family for practically expressing their profound love for Ethiopia by ensuring these artefacts return to their rightful homeland,” she said.

Accessible for public viewing

She added that the pieces would soon be accessible for public viewing and academic study, calling the repatriation “a milestone in safeguarding Ethiopia’s cultural heritage.” She also reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to retrieving items held in private and institutional collections abroad.

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• Cultural victory as Ethiopia recovers 12 artefacts taken to Germany in the 1920s
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“Efforts will continue to bring back ancient artefacts found across the globe,” she said.

AAU President Samuel Kifle acknowledged the international partners involved in the repatriation and noted that the renovated IES museum—refurbished with support from the Italian government—will now house the returned items.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, the artefacts’ return will strengthen Ethiopia’s heritage conservation efforts, bolster academic research and enhance cultural tourism. The newly repatriated pieces add to earlier returns connected to the 1868 Maqdala expedition.

Across Africa, countries have increasingly pressed for the return of cultural heritage taken during colonial or diplomatic periods.

Although progress has been slow, there have been notable gains — including Germany’s 2022 return of some Benin Bronzes to Nigeria as part of efforts to address its colonial legacy.