In a historic move after 127 years, France has officially returned the remains of King Toera of Madagascar. The restitution ceremony was held today, Tuesday at the French Ministry of Culture, where four skulls were formally handed over, including one believed to be the slain king’s.
The remains will be reburied in Madagascar on August 31.
Skulls Taken During Colonial Violence
The skulls, once stored at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, were seized during a violent colonial attack in Ambiky in the late 1800s.
King Toera was killed in that assault, and his skull was later kept in France as a trophy.
For decades, Madagascar demanded their return, making this restitution a symbolic victory for cultural and historical justice.
France Admits Colonial Wrongdoings
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati described the return as a “historic event.” She acknowledged that the skulls were acquired under conditions that violated human dignity and were rooted in colonial violence.
Although scientists confirmed the skulls belonged to members of the Sakalava ethnic group, only one is presumed to be King Toera’s.
Macron Calls for Forgiveness and Reconciliation
During his April visit to Madagascar, President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of the restitution. He called it a gesture of reconciliation and a step toward creating “conditions for forgiveness” regarding colonial injustices from 1897 until Madagascar’s independence in 1960.
New French Law Allows Return of Remains
The handover also marks the first application of a new French law enacted in late 2023. This legislation enables the restitution of human remains from public collections without requiring long parliamentary procedures.
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