Ethiopian Manuscript Sale Sparks Repatriation Fight

The proposed sale of a historic Ethiopian Gospel manuscript has renewed debate over the ownership and restitution of African cultural heritage held abroad. The Gospel Book of Tewodros II, written in the Ge’ez language around 1730–1740, contains 218 folios and 235 illustrations and once belonged to Emperor Tewodros II’s extensive library. The illuminated text represents a significant piece of Ethiopia’s Gondarine-era religious heritage. British troops reportedly seized it during an 1868 expedition to Magdala, after which it passed through several private and institutional collections. Austrian bookseller Inlibris listed the manuscript for approximately $288,500 at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. However, Ethiopian historians and heritage officials publicly objected to the listing, calling for the manuscript’s return. Under pressure, Inlibris offered to sell the work back to Ethiopia at a discounted price, but Ethiopian authorities rejected the framing, insisting on restitution rather than a transaction.