Edinburgh Evening News 05 December 2001

ITS carved markings represent something so sacred that millions of Africans believe it should never be seen by ordinary humans.

But the relic was taken from Ethiopia by British soldiers in one of the bloodiest and most controversial episodes in the country’s history.

Now the holy carving, which is thought to be 400 years old, has been found at the back of a cupboard in an Edinburgh church.

The "tabot" - a carved piece of wood with religious inscriptions - was seized by British soldiers after a battle 130 years ago.

The relic is seen by Ethiopians as a stolen part of their heritage.

Campaigners have been calling for years for it and other items taken following the battle to be returned to their country.

The congregation of St John’s Episcopal Church, in Princes Street, is now preparing to hand back the tabot, after learning of its huge significance in Africa.

The tabot, contained in a battered leather box, was found by the Reverend John McLuckie as he rummaged in the cupboard for a communion set.

Mr McLuckie, associate rector at St John’s, had worked in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, and instantly recognised it.

He said: "I saw this box and thought it might be what I was looking for, but it turned out to be something very different. I was amazed.

"I had worked in Ethiopia one summer and taken an interest in the Ethiopian church so I knew about these objects, though I had never seen one because they are kept in great secrecy and holiness.

"I had read descriptions and it was quite clear what it was."

The tabot is traditionally kept wrapped in cloths at the centre of an Ethiopian Orthodox church.

It is only ever seen by the priest and represents the Ark of the Covenant, which the Israelites used to carry the Ten Commandments as they travelled to the Promised Land.

Mr McLuckie found an inscription on the base of the tabot saying it had been taken by British forces after the battle of the mountain fortress of Magdala in 1868.

The church contacted the British Museum to verify the find and then the Ethiopian embassy.

St John’s has now decided to return the tabot to Ethiopia, and plans to hand it over to a party of priests and embassy officials early in the new year.

The return of the artefact is a major event for Ethiopians, and Rastafarians, who have campaigned for the restoration of the state treasures stolen in the battle.

Historians have described the Magdala plunder as Ethiopia’s Elgin Marbles.

But Ethiopians see their loss as more serious than the Greeks’, because of the size of the horde and the violent way in which it was taken from the fortress.

After the British raid on Magdala, parts of the treasure were auctioned off to senior officers to raise "prize money" for the victorious British soldiers. One officer bought the tabot, set it on a plinth and presented it to St John’s.

Much of the haul, which included more than 1000 sacred manuscripts, gold crowns and processional crosses, ended up in London’s British and Victoria & Albert museums.

Fisseha Adugna, Ethiopia’s charge d’affaires in London, said: "We are hugely grateful to St John’s for offering to return the Tabot to us.

"This is a very significant act. Ethiopia has lost so much of its heritage and this is the first step towards having it restored."

Andrew Heavens, spokesman for the Scottish Episcopal Church, said it was believed the tabot was around 400 years old.

He explained the Orthodox Church in Ethiopia had advised them the tabot itself is too sacred to photograph.

He added: "It is only seen by one priest in the church and any published picture would cause grave offence."

He said a delegation from Ethiopia was expected to come to Edinburgh next month to receive the sacred object.

"We think it’s only right to give it back. We didn’t realise we had it. Now we know we’ve got it, we’re going to give it back.

"It’s like if someone stole our crown jewels. They believe most of their heritage has been stolen over the years and they want it back."