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The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has formally registered a range of sacred items—including drums, cymbals, crosses, rosaries, and more than ten ancient liturgical books—as intellectual property. This move, the Church says, is essential to protect these religious artifacts from misuse and to safeguard their spiritual and cultural significance.
According to Elder Dawit Yared, head of the Department of Preservation, Library, Archives, and Museums within the Church, this step was taken in response to recent incidents in which sacred relics were found in inappropriate or unauthorized locations. “The registration of these relics as intellectual property has become necessary because some of them have been found in places that are not suitable for their sacred character,” he stated.
Elder Dawit emphasized that the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, one of the world’s oldest Christian institutions, possesses numerous ancient and sacred items that have been used in worship for centuries. “As an institution with a long religious and historical heritage, the Church holds a vast collection of sacred relics that must be preserved and properly accounted for,” he said.
To ensure legal ownership and prevent their exploitation or commodification, the Church has undertaken a detailed study to trace the origins and significance of these relics. This research has allowed the Church to obtain official certificates of ownership and register them under intellectual property law.
Among the relics that have been successfully registered are:
- Traditional drums and cymbals used in ecclesiastical music,
- Processional crosses and liturgical stands,
- Rosaries and hymnals, including over ten distinct types of hymn books, wills, and sacred texts.
“These items are not merely historical artifacts,” Elder Dawit explained. “They are spiritually active objects used in sacred rituals. Their displacement from their intended religious context is not only disrespectful but also distorts their purpose.”
The Church has also announced that this is only the beginning of a broader initiative. Efforts are currently underway to register additional cultural and spiritual assets, including ancient religious manuscripts, architectural designs of churches, traditional clerical clothing, and sacred images, as intellectual property. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure both national and international recognition of the Church’s custodianship over its religious heritage.
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s initiative marks a significant development in the protection of indigenous religious heritage and sets a precedent for other religious institutions in Ethiopia and beyond.
