Ethiopians press for return of British plunder

The Ethiopian Orthodox Church in London is stepping up its campaign for the Queen and the British Museum to return sacred treasures plundered in the 19th century.

Carvings, manuscripts and jewels are among hundreds of objects looted by British troops who invaded Ethiopia in 1868 to free British subjects held by Emperor Tewodros.

Fifteen elephants and 200 mules carried away treasures which are divided between the Royal Library at Windsor Castle, the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the British Library.

Gebre Giorgis, a priest at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Battersea, South London, criticised the British Museum for holding on to ten “tabots” — small wooden and stone tablets that symbolise the Ark of the Covenant — even though they are too sacred to display or photograph.

Posted by David on March 11, 2003 11:24 AM