Scottish Episcopal Church Press Release 22 January 2002

Edinburgh worshippers are to return a sacred carving to Ethiopia - 130 years after British soldiers seized it in a bloody battle.

Members of St John's Episcopal Church, Princes Street, will hand over the holy 'Tabot', to a delegation of Ethiopian priests and dignitaries next weekend.

One group, led by an archbishop, is flying in from Addis Ababa to take part in two days of celebrations in the Scottish capital. Others are travelling from as far afield as the Caribbean. Ethiopian Ambassador Fisseha Adugna will come from London.

The Tabot, thought to be more than 400 years old, was discovered by chance by St John's cleric the Rev John McLuckie, when he was searching through a cupboard.

Mr McLuckie - who worked in Addis Ababa - recognised the Tabot, which represents the Ark of the Covenant and is the holiest object in an Ethiopian Orthodox church.

He soon discovered it had been seized when troops invaded Ethiopia in 1868 to free British subjects, imprisoned by of Ethiopian Emperor Theodore (or Tewodros) II.

Soldiers stormed the Emperor's mountain fortress at Magdala (or Maqdala). After winning the battle, the British loaded up 200 mules and 15 elephants with plunder. One officer bought the Tabot and presented it to his home church - St John's.

Other loot, including solid gold crowns, illuminated manuscripts and ceremonial crosses, was bought up by some of the UK's most respected institutions, including the British Library. (See list of outstanding loot in Afromet press release).

It has remained in their possession ever since, often hidden away in store rooms, despite 130 years of protest from Ethiopian authorities and criticism at the time from, among others, British Prime Minister William Gladstone and the leader of the original invading force Sir Robert Napier.

Mr McLuckie today called on the British Library, the Victoria & Albert Museum and other bodies to follow St John's lead and return hundreds of exhibits also stolen at Maqdala.

He said: "Whatever the complexities of the political situation of the time, the treasures looted from Maqdala in 1868 were taken violently and represent a very significant part of Ethiopia's cultural and religious history.

"Many of the items are of great spiritual value, not least ten other Tabots kept in the British Museum, and others have an invaluable place in Ethiopia's literary history.

"I feel that it is right for the Ethiopians to have these items in their own safe keeping and urge all those who have custody of them to take steps towards their repatriation."

News of the return has sparked huge interest in the Ethiopia and around East Africa. It is understood that the Tabot will be welcomed back to its home amid great celebrations and re-consecrated at the heart of an Ethiopian Orthodox cathedral.