Two sacred paintings have been returned to Ethiopia 137 years after they were ripped out of a holy book by invading British troops.

Thousands of Ethiopians and Rastafarians were jamming on a hot Sunday in Addis Ababa’s main square as Ethiopia threw a birthday bash for the late reggae star Bob Marley, in what is billed as the country’s largest concert.

Tony Blair must return Ethiopian sacred objects and ancient artefacts looted by British troops more than a century ago and now locked up in museums and royal palaces, a leading scholar demanded today.