Artifacts Looted 153 Years Ago Returned to Ethiopia
ADDIS ABABA – At least 13 artefacts that were looted 153 years ago by the British army have been brought back to Ethiopia on Saturday.
Tourism Minister Nansi Challe senior government officials received the artefacts at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
The heritages are reflections of Ethiopia’s ancient civilization, history, indigenous knowledge, and culture, Tourism Minister Nansi said on the occasion, adding the government will continue its efforts to enable the return of the various heritages of Ethiopia dispersed around the globe.
The minister handed the historic items restituted by Scheherazade foundation and repatriated by Teferi Melesse, Ambassador of Ethiopia in UK, to the Ethiopian National Museum.
“Honoured to return to Ethiopia 13 artefacts looted in (the Battle of) Maqdala, courtesy of Scheherazade who procured them from auctions & private dealers,” said Ambassador Teferi.
“I take this opportunity to renew calls made by countless Ethiopians for museums & collectors of Maqdala heritage to return them,” he added.
Aftermath of the Battle of Maqdala in 1868, British soldiers engaged in looting both the Fortress of Magdala and the surrounding areas, making off with innumerable objects of immense value to Ethiopians.
