Artifacts looted from Magdala handed to Ethiopian Embassy in London

Addis Ababa, September 22, 2023 (FBC) – Various artifacts, including sacred religious tablets (“tabots”), looted from Meqdela in 1868 during the reign of Emperor Tewodros II have been handed over to the Ethiopian Embassy in London.

The returned artifacts include the sacred tablet of ‘Medhane’Alem’, a lock of Prince Alemayehu’s hair (the son of Emperror Tewodros II), three cups made of silver and plated with bronze, and a shield.

The handover ceremony was attended by the Ethiopian Ambassador to the UK, Teferi Melese, a delegation of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, representatives of the Ethiopia’s National Heritage Restitution Committe, members of the British Parliament, and invited guests.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Teferi underlined that the returned artifacts and sacred religious artefacts are of great importance to the Church, history and cultural development of the Ethiopian people.

He also recalled that Ethiopians have been wondering why the Ethiopian artifacts plundered during the tragic war at Meqdela have not yet been returned home from London.

These artifacts are the manifestations of the history, culture and identity of Ethiopia, a country with ancient longstanding history, the Ethiopian Embassy in London reminded.

The Embassy confirmed that those artifacts will be sent back to Ethiopia to be placed in their proper place.

Professor Alula Pankhurst, a member of Ethiopia’s National Heritage Restitution Committe, said that the conditions for repatriation of artifacts should be strengthened.

British Member of Parliament Paul Boateng said that efforts are being made to return the ancient and historical heritage of Ethiopia, which is a manifestation of its identity.

He pointed out that today’s handover is an appropriate act and called on the British museums to return the looted artifacts from Ethiopia to the rightful owners, the Ethiopian people.

Meanwhile, ahead of the handing over event, a former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, has renewed his call for the repatriation from Westminster Abbey of a religious sacred tablet to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Since 2007, he has repeatedly called on the Abbey — and the British Museum, which holds 11 other tabots — to return them, reports indicate.

“I am very keen to see the tabots back in their own land and churches,” Lord Carey said. “I asked a question about this in the House of Lords some months ago, which stirred a lively debate. My hope is that the British Museum and Westminster Abbey will eventually return the tabots they have. What is the point of holding on to sacred items that are locked away in vaults and never seen? The moral thing is to return them to their rightful owners.”

Lord Carey is seeking a meeting with the Dean of Westminster, the Very Revd Dr David Hoyle, to discuss a solution, the reports further indicate.