https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250425/selling-ethiopian-artifacts-is-selling-ethiopias-soul--and-it-is-outrageous-1072309249.html
'Selling Ethiopian Artifacts is Selling Ethiopia’s Soul — And It is Outrageous'
'Selling Ethiopian Artifacts is Selling Ethiopia’s Soul — And It is Outrageous'
Sputnik Africa
Recently, a sword and cloak of Ethiopian hero Ras Desta Damtew briefly appeared on an Italian auction site, sparking debate on Ethiopia's stolen heritage. Ras... 25.04.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-04-25T17:47+0200
2025-04-25T17:47+0200
2025-04-25T17:47+0200
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Italy's sale of Ethiopian artifacts equates to selling Ethiopia's soul—and it is outrageous, Yeshimebet Kassa, granddaughter of Ras Desta Damtew and great-granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie, told Sputnik Africa.The outrage is not just personal—it's national.The theft and sale of cultural heritage is a form of cultural colonization. While Western narratives often reduce Africa to stories of famine and conflict, treasures like these prove that Ethiopia—and the continent at large—has a “massive history and a long legacy” that’s been deliberately hidden, Yeshimebet Kassa explained.She also called for global solidarity—especially through bodies like BRICS, UNESCO, and other multilateral institutions.These artifacts belong not in private galleries, but in the National Museum, where young Ethiopians can see what Ethiopia’s history is and what amazing things were taken from them, she concluded.
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africa in details, haile selassie, ethiopia, africa, italy, brics, unesco, sputnik africa, history, artifact, colonialism
africa in details, haile selassie, ethiopia, africa, italy, brics, unesco, sputnik africa, history, artifact, colonialism
'Selling Ethiopian Artifacts is Selling Ethiopia’s Soul — And It is Outrageous'
Christina Glazkova
Writer / Editor
Recently, a sword and cloak of Ethiopian hero Ras Desta Damtew briefly appeared on an Italian auction site, sparking debate on Ethiopia's stolen heritage. Ras Desta, son-in-law to Emperor Haile Selassie, led resistance against the Italian occupation and was summarily executed in 1937—a war crime, per a UN commission.
Italy's sale of Ethiopian artifacts equates to selling Ethiopia's soul—and it is outrageous, Yeshimebet Kassa, granddaughter of Ras Desta Damtew and great-granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie, told Sputnik Africa.
“When his possessions came up for auction, we were hurt not just on a family basis, but as Ethiopians,” she added.
The outrage is not just personal—it's national.
“These artifacts… are part of an Ethiopian soul. … We get very upset when people try to commercialize his name and his belongings to make a profit off them,” she said.
The theft and sale of cultural heritage is a form of cultural colonization. While Western narratives often reduce Africa to stories of famine and conflict, treasures like these prove that Ethiopia—and the continent at large—has a “massive history and a long legacy” that’s been deliberately hidden, Yeshimebet Kassa explained.
She also called for global solidarity—especially through bodies like BRICS, UNESCO, and other multilateral institutions.
“The pressure from other member countries of any of these groups… is invaluable,” Yeshimebet Kassa said.
These artifacts belong not in private galleries, but in the National Museum, where young Ethiopians can see what Ethiopia’s history is and what amazing things were taken from them, she concluded.
