Ethiopian Artefacts Returned After Handover Ceremony at University of Cumbria Campus
Culturally significant artefacts have been returned to Ethiopia after a handover ceremony at the University of Cumbria’s Lancaster campus.
The items, a bloodstained cloth and a lock of hair, had been held in the archive of the King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum in Lancaster. They had not been on public display.
They were formally handed over to the Ethiopian Heritage Authority at St Martin’s Chapel on the university’s Bowerham Road campus. The site was once the former base of the King’s Own Royal Regiment.
The artefacts are believed to be linked to Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia.
Items Linked to Emperor Tewodros
The artefacts are believed to be a lock of Emperor Tewodros’ hair and a piece of cloth stained with his blood.
They were transferred to Dr Alula Pankhurst, who represented Professor Abebaw Ayalew, director general of the Ethiopian Heritage Authority.
The handover followed research by the King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum Trust into items connected to Ethiopia in its collection.
The research found that the two items were human remains. The museum trust then informed the Ethiopian Heritage Authority, which made a formal request for their return.
Ceremony Held in Lancaster
The Lancaster handover ceremony took place on May 12.
It was held at the University of Cumbria’s Lancaster campus, on the site of the former Bowerham Barracks.
The barracks were once occupied by the King’s Own Royal Regiment before the regiment was amalgamated in 1959.
Colonel David Bates, a senior lecturer in Disaster Response at the University of Cumbria, said the event was a celebration after a long project to understand the history of the remains and return them to Ethiopia.
He said the event also showed the close links between the university, the museum, the city, the mayoralty and the military.
Historical Background
The artefacts relate to events from 1868, when an Anglo-Indian expedition was launched to Abyssinia, now Ethiopia.
The expedition was sent to free hostages held by Emperor Tewodros II.
The troops were led by Lieutenant General Sir Robert Napier. His direct descendant, Lord Robert Napier, attended the handover ceremony in Lancaster with his sister, Ruth Self.
At the ceremony, Lord Napier presented a gold bracelet to the Ethiopian Heritage Authority. The bracelet had been given by Emperor Tewodros to the wife of one of the hostages.
Research Helped Identify the Items
The King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum has been researching items in its collection connected to Ethiopia.
The work was supported by the Museums Association’s Esmée Fairbairn Communities and Collections Fund.
As part of the project, the museum employed Eyob Derillo, an Ethiopian specialist and former curator of the Ethiopian collection at the British Library.
He helped evaluate items in the collection that came from Ethiopia.
The research also involved collaboration with members of the Ethiopian community and representatives of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Their input helped provide cultural and historical context.
Items Blessed Before Transfer
The artefacts were blessed by Father Abate Gobena before they were formally transferred.
Eyob Derillo spoke at the ceremony, along with Colonel Robin Jackson, chairman of the museum trust.
University of Cumbria chaplain Clare Shepherd and Lancaster City Museum manager Carolyn Dalton also spoke at the event.
Dr Alula Pankhurst described the occasion as truly moving.
A second handover ceremony was later held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, after the artefacts completed their journey.
Wider Museum Work Continues
The King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum is based inside Lancaster City Museum.
It holds artefacts and records from the regiment’s history from 1680 until its amalgamation in 1959.
The museum’s research project has also supported the redisplay of its Abyssinia section. This will help visitors better understand the context of the 1868 expedition and the items connected to it.
The return of the artefacts marks an important moment for the museum, the University of Cumbria and the Ethiopian Heritage Authority.
It also shows how careful research, community involvement and international cooperation can help resolve sensitive questions about historic collections.
