UK RETURNS ETHIOPIAN PRINCE’S LOCK OF HAIR 155 YEARS AFTER BRITISH PLUNDER

Prince Alemayehu, pictured in 1868. Queen Victoria took an interest in him after he was taken to Britain from what is now Ethiopia.Sepia Times / Universal Image Group via Getty Images

Sat 23 September 2023:

Artifacts looted by the British troops during a conflict with Ethiopia’s Emperor Tewodros II in the 19th century and a lock of hair from an Ethiopian royal who died in 1879 have both been returned to the East African nation, AFP reported.

Three silver cups and a shield were among the possessions returned to the Ethiopian embassy in London at a ceremony late on Thursday.

The celebration was marked with champagne and canapes as the Ethiopian ambassador to the United Kingdom received the hair of Crown Prince Alemayehu, who is buried at Windsor Castle.

Prince Alemayehu and his guardian Captain Speedy went to the Isle of Wight at the request of Queen Victoria en route to England. The queen was kept abreast of Alemayehu's movement as a young boy until his death at the age of 18.

Prince Alemayehu and his guardian went to the Isle of Wight at the request of Queen Victoria in 1868. She was kept informed of Alemayehu’s movement as a young boy until his death at the age of 18. (Julia Margaret Cameron)

“It’s a very important part of our history … life was difficult for him,” said ambassador Teferi Melesse Desta.

Other culturally and religiously significant items that were taken from Ethiopia 155 years ago, including a shield and three cups, were also returned Thursday night. The ambassador spoke of the the treasures “returning to their rightful place … where they can continue to inspire and educate for generations to come.”

An open box contains pieces of paper with writing on them.

A lock of Prince Alemayehu’s hair was given to Capt. Tristram Speedy, an officer in the British Army who was the prince’s guardian before he was sent to boarding school. (Lauren Sproule/CBC)

“It’s a very important part of our history … life was difficult for him,” said ambassador Teferi Melesse Desta.

The items were pillaged during the battle of Magdala in 1868 when 13,000 British soldiers besieged Emperor Tewodros II’s fortress in what was then called Abyssinia. The emperor killed himself rather than surrender.

The lock of hair was from the emperor’s son, Prince Alemayehu. It was reportedly returned by a descendant of captain Tristram Speedy, a member of the British expedition who became the prince’s guardian.

Tewodros II seven-year-old son Prince Alemayehu was taken to the UK along with looted treasures. He became a favourite of Queen Victoria before dying aged 18.

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The British monarchy, however, has declined a request from the family of the prince to repatriate his remains due to the need to “preserve the dignity” of others buried at the chapel.

V&A Museum, Maqdala 1868 display: Crown, gold and gilded copper with glass beads, pigment and fabric, made in Ethiopia, 1600-1850

This golden was also taken during the battle of Maqdala IMAGE SOURCE,V&A MUSEUM

“This evening is an evening touched with magic,” said Tahir Shah, one of the founders of the Scheherazade Foundation, the not-for-profit organization facilitating the returns.

“The returning of this lock of hair is a signal that restitutions can be made in a spirit of goodwill and respect, and we hope that they will inspire other restitutions to take place in the near future.”

The Abyssinian Expedition, Ethiopia 1868 - the Naval Brigade parade beside Goon-Goona Rock.

The Naval Brigade parade takes place beside Goon-Goona Rock during the Abyssinian Expedition in 1868. (Imperial War Museums)

Historians say 15 elephants and 200 mules were needed to cart away all the loot from Maqdala, the emperor’s northern citadel capital.

Ethiopia lodged a formal request in 2008 at various British institutions for the return of the treasures worth millions of dollars taken from the site.

The announcement comes at the end of a year-long commemorations marking 150 years since the Battle of Maqdala.

The so-called Napier expedition, often described as the largest military offensive by the British empire in Africa, saw thousands of soldiers deployed to face Emperor Tewodros II.