In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, most of the African countries were under colonial domination and victims of violence and oppression of the colonization. Beside controlling foreign lands by force and imposing alien cultures on colonized people, colonial powers used to plunder cultural artifacts and heritages from most African countries.
Even if it was not a direct victim of colonization, Ethiopia was also the target of Italian aggression and some of its cultural artifacts and heritages were exposed to plunder in the same way it had happened to be by British troops in 1868 in a fight with Emperor Tewodros II.
Historical accounts indicate that most of the British troops and the so called “researchers” looted thousands of precious artifacts and heritages from Ethiopia. This includes several crosses, manuscripts, shields and crowns as well as tabots, replica of the Ark of the Covenant, locks of hair that belong to Emperor Tewodros II, and other valuable religious, cultural, and traditional heritages.
In fact, over the past few years some of Ethiopia’s looted precious artifacts and cultural heritages that were kept in various countries have finally returned to Ethiopia. These include silver cups with bronze plating, holy books, processional crosses and crown, a richly colored triptych depicting Jesus’ crucifixion among other religious heritages.
Likewise, at the time the Fascist Italy came back to Ethiopia in 1935 to avenge its shameful defeat at the Battle of Adwa and heal the inerasable scar, several artifacts and heritages were looted from Ethiopia. This includes the historic Ethiopian made aircraft Tsehay, which was named after Princess Tsehay, daughter of Emperor Haile Selassie I.
Recently, after close to nine decades in foreign land, this aircraft has returned to its homeland- Ethiopia, following the effort exerted by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD).
Tsehay is the first aircraft built in Ethiopia in 1935, under the collaborative efforts of the German engineer and pilot of the Emperor, Herr Ludwig Weber, and Ethiopian individuals of that era. Its name was chosen in honor of Princess Tsehay, the daughter of Emperor Haile Selassie I.
The story of “Ethiopia 1 Tsehay” and the involvement of Ludwig Weber are important chapters in Ethiopia’s rich history of technological progress and resilience. Tsehay also reflects the early efforts of Ethiopia to embrace aviation technology and modernization, as well as the country’s determination to advance despite the challenges it faced.
What is more, the airplane “Ethiopia 1 Tsehay” holds historical significance as it was named after Princess Tsehay, Emperor Haile Selassie’s daughter. This reflects the connection between the royal family and the technological advancements of the time.As indicated by Captain Zelealem Andarge, who once conducted an interview with VOA Amharic service, the Aircraft (Tsehay) was under construction in early 1935, just a few months prior to the invasion of the Italian Fascist. This timing underscores the challenging historical context in which Ethiopia was pursuing aviation development while facing external threats.According to him, when the Fascist Italy attempted to invade Ethiopia, it had made all possible preparations and tried to avoid all possible forms of resistance. This includes preventing Ethiopia from acquiring any weapon that may be a threat to the invading force. Preventing Ethiopia from owning aircrafts that may be used during the war is also another step the Italians took. For that reason, there was no means for Ethiopia to acquire airplanes to defend itself from invading forces. This was one reason why Ethiopia decided to manufacture its own aircraft at home.
The idea of making the aircraft at home convinced the Emperor and others; then, with the help of a German pilot and some other Ethiopians, the idea of constructing an aircraft came to a reality and Tsehay Aircraft was made in Ethiopia.
Responding to how and when Italians plundered Tsehay, Captain Zelealem said that, “When Italians took control of Addis Ababa in 1936 they spotted three planes. Out of the three, it was Tsehay that perplexed them most. This is due to the fact that despite the fact that they had all the information concerning the two aircrafts that were transported from Djibouti to Addis Ababa, they had no clue about the third one –Tsehay- which was Ethiopian made aircraft.
According to him, Tsehay was taken from Addis Ababa in 1937 and put in the Italian Royal Air force Academy. Then it was moved again into Caserta Palace. With the outbreak of WWII various aircrafts were destroyed. However, Tsehay was spared from this destruction. In the late 1950s Tsehay was put in Turin Museum. It was at this time the Italians changed its original grey color into red.
Recently, after close to nine decades of “captivity”, news that warms the hearts and minds of almost all Ethiopians, was heralded- the official return of Ethiopia’s first plane “Tsehay” to homeland.
Following the news, PM Abiy Ahmed wrote on his social media account on X: “Today is a day of great pride for Ethiopians as we celebrate the official handover of “Tsehay” by the Italian Government. I extend my immense gratitude to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her support over the past year in facilitating its return.”
As reported by FBC, Tsehay was designed as a two-seat, dual-controlled aircraft, featuring a more powerful engine. It possessed essential components such as a compass, pilot controls, and two fixed landing gears without brakes. The engine, a seven-cylinder Walter Vinus with a water-cooling system, boasted a horsepower of 115.
The maiden flight of Tsehay occurred in December 1935, during which Weber flew 50 kilometers from Addis Ababa. The flight lasted approximately seven minutes, with the airplane maintaining an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level.
Tsehay stands as the sole aircraft manufactured in Ethiopia prior to World War II. The aircraft was constructed with limited resources and space, relying on the craftsmanship of carpenters of that period. “Tsehay” represents the only surviving artifact from the aviation endeavors of the 1930s, it was learnt.
True, following the wars that took place in Ethiopia at different times and different places, a significant amount of Ethiopia’s artifacts that portray Ethiopians’ identity such as ancient religious manuscripts, cultural heritages and historical objects were looted and taken to foreign lands
According to documents, merely in the British Museum collections estimated to be around 80 objects taken from the northern Ethiopian locality of Maqdala (now known as Amba Mariam), are kept.
These artifacts are the asset of the people of Ethiopia and treasures where their history and identity are revealed. It is also the property of the country. Therefore, religious, cultural and historical artifacts that have been looted during war time and stolen by irresponsible individuals and scattered in different countries should be repatriated to the country. In this regard, the government, pertinent bodies, stakeholders and all Ethiopians should work jointly to return the assets to home.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 4 FEBRUARY 2024
