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Exactly 12 cultural items have been ceremoniously given back to the Ethiopian nation following being kept by a German family for more than a century.

These treasures, originally collected in the early twentieth century by Germany's then-envoy to the Ethiopian empire a German envoy and his wife his partner, were transferred on Wednesday to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at Addis Ababa University.

This assortment contained royal crowns, shields and paintings, all viewed as culturally important in the country.

"The treasures still serve as a emblem of the long-standing and friendly ties between the German nation and Ethiopia," stated the German diplomat, the ambassador to Ethiopia.

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

He explained that the family's goal to restore the artefacts was to "share their beauty with the public and maintain the culture and past connected to my father's origin."

These items were either considered presents or acquisitions, based on the relatives.

"I would like to thank the Weiss relatives for actively demonstrating their profound love for the nation by carefully safeguarding these treasures and importantly guaranteeing their repatriation to their rightful homeland," commented the minister of tourism.

The minister noted that the pieces would soon be made accessible to the general audience for study and educational purposes, terming the move a landmark in safeguarding Ethiopia's national treasures.

"Initiatives are ongoing to bring back old artifacts that are held in the possession of collectors and organizations all over the world," she said.

In the era of colonialism in Africa, thousands of cultural objects were taken.

This request by African countries for the restoration of looted objects has been responded to by some success in recent years - though a number of items are only on short-term display.

In two years ago, Germany was the initial state to give back a selection of the famous Benin artifacts to Nigeria as part of an effort to deal with its "complex legacy."

Connected Subjects

• Historical Repatriation Efforts in the Continent
• The Significance of Imperial Past on Modern Ethiopian Heritage
• International Campaigns for the Restitution of Stolen Treasures