The administration in Addis Ababa is looking to reclaim multiple items which were seized by British forces after the Battle of Magdala in 1868. The soldiers plundered the fortress at Magdala after defeating the Abyssinian Emperor Tewodros II, who had taken British missionaries and officials hostage.
The artefacts they took, including rare items of clothing, medieval Bibles, parchment, swords and shields, were spread around the UK and are in numerous different institutions.
“Those items have a lot in terms of inherent identity,” said Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie, grandson of Haile Selassie, the last emperor of Ethiopia. “The younger generation would get pride back by having them return home.”
The push for a return of the 1868 items will be made next year by the Ethiopian Heritage Authority. They will also be requesting support from the British government. However, the decision will rest with the universities and the Charity Commission, which must sign off any deal.
The push for a return of the 1868 items will be made next year by the Ethiopian Heritage Authority. They will also be requesting support from the British government. However, the decision will rest with the universities and the Charity Commission, which must sign off any deal.
Earlier, the Ethiopian Heritage Authority successfully stopped the auction of a shield, also captured in 1868.
