Ancient Ethiopian Geez manuscripts return home from Denmark

Addis Ababa, January 4, 2022 (FBC) – Ancient Geez manuscripts that were in Denmark have been repatriated to Ethiopia, their country of origin.

The repatriation of the heritages came after Crystal Westland Harbu, a member of one of the Swedish families who were engaged in various fields of work in Ethiopia in the 1950s, donated a 16th century Geez psalm and a personal prayer book (Melk’a Mariam) written in the same language her husband brought to Denmark from Ethiopia to the Swedish-Ethiopian Friendship Association.

Chairman of the Swedish-Ethiopian Friendship Association, Dr. Biniyam Wondimu has handed over the Geeze manuscripts to Director-General of Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Abebaw Ayalew today.

Abebaw Ayalew said the Authority is working hand in hand with the Ethiopian National Heritage Restitution Committee to collect and repatriate nation’s looted artefacts scattered throughout the world.