Daily Telegraph 28 January 2002

A SACRED African artefact found in the back of a church cupboard in Scotland, 130 years after it was seized by British soldiers, started its journey back to Ethiopia yesterday.

The Tabot, a wooden carving considered the most potent symbol of the country's orthodox church, was handed to an Ethiopian archbishop in Edinburgh.

The 400-year-old relic, which depicts the Ark of the Covenant used by the Israelites to carry the Ten Commandments, was found at St John's Scottish Episcopal Church, Edinburgh, by a vicar rummaging in a cupboard.

The Rev John McLuckie, who worked in Ethiopia 16 years ago, found the 6in tablet in a battered leather box and recognised it as a Tabot, despite never having seen one. Mr McLuckie said: "The excitement this has generated has been unimaginable."

Tabots are usually kept wrapped in cloths at the centre of the church, seen only by the archbishop and are not allowed to be photographed. The Tabot returned yesterday had been taken by British soldiers during the battle of a mountain fortress in Magdala in 1868.

About 100 Ethiopian priests, delegates and members of Britain's Rastafarian community attended yesterday's ceremony, waving Ethiopian flags and singing traditional songs. They were joined by parishioners from St John's.

A spokesman for the delegation said: "No one can underestimate just how significant and joyful this hand over is. The people of my country, a number of whom travelled here to see this, are simply delighted."

Loot taken from Magdala, including solid gold crowns and 10 Tabots, was loaded on to more than 200 mules and 15 elephants. The Tabot returned yesterday was brought to Edinburgh by a soldier on Sir Robert Napier's campaign against the Ethiopian emperor, Theodore II.

The Tabot, which was kept under a red and gold cloth during the ceremony, was handed to Archbishop Bitsu Abune Isaias.

The Ethiopian embassy in London said: "The seized objects from Magdala include sacred artefacts, manuscripts and historical and cultural valuables. They are now owned by individuals and institutions all over Great Britain and beyond."