Addis Ababa: Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK), Teferi Melesse, handed over artifacts, including the Prince Alemayehu Tewodros’s lock of hair, to the Ethiopian Heritage Authority today.
The ambassador added that the artifacts looted during the Battle of Meqdala in 1868 were handed over to the embassy in September 2023 by different institutions and individuals.
Among the items was a lock of hair of Prince Alemayehu, the son of Emperor Tewodros who committed suicide rather than surrender to the British Army.
‘Today, we are lucky to have Prince Alemayehu’s hair locks and Captain Speedy’s hair locks, and a shield, a magazine that was published during the Meqdela expedition and some letters that state about the stay of Prince Alemayehu at the residence of Captain Speedy; and we have the picture of General Napier, the general that led the expedition in Meqdela,’ Ambassador Teferi stated.
There are about 2,000 artifacts and treasures in the UK, the ambassador stated, pointing out that some are wit
h the Royal Family, in Museums, and churches as well as with individuals.
‘Our objective is to identify the whereabouts of the artifacts and the treasures and then to see and devise a strategy on how to return these artifacts.’
At today’s handing over ceremony, a lock of Prince Alemayehu’s hair (the son of Emperor Tewodros II), three silver cups with bronze plating, and a shield were given to the Ethiopian Heritage Authority.
Ethiopian Heritage Authority Director-General, Abebaw Ayalew said on his part the artifacts handed over by the embassy are objects stolen 155 years ago.
The objects received by the authority included 3 silver cups, 1 shield, and hair of Prince Alemayehu and his guardian captain Speedy, he stated, adding that a tabot was also repatriated to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Patriarchate Office.
The cups are unique and decorated; and the shield belonged to an Ethiopian before the Battle of Meqdela.
‘The holy arc or Tabot which is not here today was repatriated to the Church. The Ethiopia
n Orthodox Church took the responsibility of possessing it from London to the Patriarchate Office.’
After the death of his father, the seven-year-old Prince Alemayehu was taken to England after the Battle of Magdala where he died in 1879 at the age of 18.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency