Around 12 cultural items were officially restored to the Ethiopian nation following being kept by a household from Germany for over a century.
The artefacts, initially gathered in the 1920's by the German representative to Ethiopia Franz Weiss and his wife Hedwig, were delivered on midweek to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies at the university in Addis Ababa.
The collection contained crowns, shields and artistic works, each viewed as historically important in the nation.
"These items still represent a emblem of the long-standing and friendly relationship between Germany and the Ethiopian people," stated Germany's envoy, Germany's ambassador to the East African country.
Professor Ramon Wyss, whose parent was born during the family's service in the nation, presented the items at a gathering attended by the Minister of Tourism Selamawit Kassa.
He stated that the household's intention to give back the items was to "showcase their beauty with the people and maintain the heritage and history linked to my parent's origin."
These objects were either gifts or acquisitions, based on the household.
"I would like to thank the Weiss relatives for actively expressing their deep affection for Ethiopia by meticulously preserving these artifacts and crucially securing their repatriation to their legitimate nation," stated the official.
The minister continued that the artefacts would shortly be available to the public for investigation and scholarly work, terming the action a milestone in protecting the nation's cultural heritage.
"Initiatives persist to bring back historical objects that are found in the hands of individuals and entities throughout the globe," the minister said.
In the era of colonial rule in the African continent, thousands of traditional artefacts were taken.
The request by African countries for the return of taken objects has been met with certain progress in lately - though some objects are only on short-term display.
Back in the year 2022, the German government was the initial state to repatriate a selection of the well-known Benin artifacts to the West African nation in an attempt to confront its "dark legacy."
