Dagnachew Teklu
25 March 2005
Addis Ababa — Two pages ripped out of an old Ethiopian holy manuscript and looted during the British invasion in 1868 were returned to Ethiopia on Wednesday.
Though the two pages made their way home 137 years after being plundered by British soldiers, the whereabouts of the original holy manuscripts is not yet known by those working for the return of Ethiopian treasures.
The two pages were returned by a prominent member of the British legal profession who felt strongly about the cause of restitution, according to the Association for the return of the Maqdala Ethiopian Treasures (AFROMET).
Professor Richard Pankhurst, Vice Chair of AFROMET handed over the centuries old torn pages to the Institute of Ethiopian Studies Museum.
Some of the torn, beautifully decorated pages stated in Pankhurst's research were originally part of holy books taken by British soldiers during the battle of Maqdala in 1868.
"It is believed that some of the illuminated pages were ripped out on the spot by soldiers who wanted to smuggle treasures out of the country. The great uncle of the donor who returned the two pages was an officer in the expedition. Others could have been ripped out on arrival in Britain by dealers or collectors," Pankhurst said.
Officials from the association said that the prominent member of the British legal establishment has chosen to stay anonymous, and sent the torn pages by messengers last Friday.
Professor Andrias Eshete, head of AFROMET and President of Addis Ababa University on his part said that the pages are a small part of the many pieces and items looted during the British invasion. He said that there were still a variety of looted manuscripts and other properties kept in various European countries museums and universities.
"The generous act by this anonymous donor will help us continue our struggle to return the remaining items," Andrias said.
Scotland, Germany, Spain, India and France are believed to also have Ethiopia's manuscripts.
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