Priceless Identity in Foreign Hands: Ethiopia’s Struggle for Heritage Restitution
Priceless Identity in Foreign Hands: Ethiopia’s Struggle for Heritage Restitution
Ethiopian heritage expert Tesfaye Arega, in conversation with Sputnik Africa, raised concerns about Europe’s continued possession of African — particularly Ethiopian — cultural treasures.
His reflections come amid renewed scrutiny of European nations acquiring Ukrainian artifacts during wartime.
Key Points from Tesfaye Arega:
Historical Looting:
Large volumes of Ethiopian artifacts were looted, most notably in 1868 during the British expedition to Magdala.
Many items remain scattered in private hands or European institutions, often with no clear record of their whereabouts.
Displaced Identity:
“Ethiopians are supposed to go to Europe to… understand their history,” he lamented, since ancient manuscripts and cultural artifacts are still housed abroad.
Systemic Injustice:
Restitution is governed by international laws that are “not really governed by an African nation” — leaving developing countries like Ethiopia at a disadvantage.
Access to their own heritage is often denied: “I was trying to search the Ethiopian manuscripts [in Cambridge], but they were asking me to show official letters… I felt how we were so unlucky.”
Colonial Justifications:
European curators often argue African heritage is safer in their museums:
“Like that of the babysitter, which claimed ‘I’m better than the mother.’” Tesfaye calls this deeply patronizing and sad.
Heritage is Priceless:
“It is part of identity, it is history, it is culture… money cannot buy everything.”
Call to Action:
African nations must unite, train experts, and pursue diplomatic and legal strategies for restitution.
Despite biased international frameworks, he insists: “We should try to push forward to get our heritage back.”
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