Rare Ethiopian Manuscript Linked to British Looting Sparks Restitution Debate

A sacred Ethiopian manuscript, originally looted from Emperor Tewodros II by British troops nearly 160 years ago, has triggered a fierce international dispute after it appeared in a private sales listing for $250,000 at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. The Gondarine Gospel, written in the ancient Ge’ez language, is among thousands of artifacts stolen during the 1868 Battle of Magdala that remain outside Ethiopia.

Ethiopian authorities have urgently requested the withdrawal of the item, citing moral and ethical obligations. Abebaw Ayalew, head of the Ethiopian Heritage Authority (EHA), sent a letter to Inlibris, the Vienna-based rare book dealer representing a private owner, warning that handling looted goods poses significant reputational risks. “There are clear moral grounds for art dealers to avoid selling items which are established as having been looted,” Ayalew stated.

Inlibris rejected the demand, arguing there are no legal precedents for restitution because modern laws against wartime cultural theft did not exist in the 19th century. Hugo Wertscherk, head of Inlibris, told Al Jazeera that returning the book would be illegal under current frameworks. He described himself as a businessman rather than a lawmaker and denied actively attempting to sell the Bible, claiming it was listed merely as a prop at the fair.

Historians emphasize the manuscript’s profound cultural value beyond its association with the fallen emperor. Abreha Kiros, a professor of art history at Aksum University, noted that the illuminated text, likely commissioned between 1730 and 1734, is vital for understanding Ethiopian manuscript culture, ancient literature, and Gondarine artistic traditions. He argued that the absence of clear legal mechanisms for restitution does not preclude dialogue.

The controversy has reignited global debates regarding the responsibility of Western museums and collectors to return Africa’s stolen heritage. While nations such as Britain, Germany, and France have begun returning or lending certain artifacts amid activist pressure, the path for the Gondarine Gospel remains uncertain. In May, Britain returned a lock of Tewodros’ hair and a blood-stained cloth to Ethiopia, but neither side has reached a resolution regarding the gospel.

Wertscherk stated that communication from Ethiopian officials felt “threatening,” though British historian Alula Pankhurst, who alerted authorities to the listing, dismissed this characterization. Pankhurst highlighted recent precedents in the UK, US, and Italy where auctions of disputed items were canceled following negotiations. Kiros urged a constructive approach, suggesting outcomes such as long-term loans, shared custodianship, or negotiated returns that respect the origin community’s role in determining the artifact’s future.