The British are in a giving mood, or rather, a mood to return what they initially stole from their plundering of African countries. The locks of hair which were taken from Emperor Tewodros II following his death, are to be returned to the Ethiopian government in a few days according to the BBC.

The British invaded Ethiopia in a battle known as Maqdala in 1868. Among the numerous artifacts that they looted and have since gone on to display in various museums across the country, were the locks of hair which were taken from Emperor Tewodros II. In protest, he had refused to be taken as a prisoner by the British and instead decided that committing suicide would be a more honorable death for him. His son, Prince Alemayehu, was also taken along with the artifacts that were stolen. The locks of Emperor Tewodros II's hair were then passed on to the National Army Museum in London about six decades ago.

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A spokesperson for the National Army Museum told the BBC:

"It's definitely not a precedent. That's the only one that's been requested. They have to be formal, written requests to the director with a case".

However, in contrast to the spokesperson's statement, Ethiopia requested that ALL its looted artifacts, worth millions of dollars, be returned to them.

It is ironic, if not preposterous, that African countries are tasked with having to formally request (in writing) that their own stolen treasures be returned by the thieves. These same thieves who have even more absurdly insisted that the artifacts be returned "on loan". Fancy that.