With France’s formal return of three skulls to Madagascar, the act brings new meaning to the people and diplomatic relations between the two countries. This event occurs over a hundred years after the skulls were confiscated by colonial powers. One of the skulls among the remains is believed to have belonged to King Toera. He was a giant in 19th-century Madagascar and was eventually beheaded by French soldiers after fierce resistance in 1897.
The two additional skulls are linked to generals who fought alongside King Toera during his resistance against French colonial forces. These remains had been kept within collections at France’s National Museum of Natural History. The formal handover took place on Tuesday at a ceremony hosted by Madagascar’s Ministry of Culture in Antananarivo.
Madagascar’s Ministry of Culture had great news to share! They announced that the skulls would be reburied in Menabe, a province in the western part of the island. This return takes place on the heels of France’s colonization of the Sakalava kingdoms in the 1890s. In turn, these lands were folded into a new French colony.
A 2023 law adopted by France allowed to make this repatriation possible. It prevents human remains from being out of their country of origin for burial or interment. It represents the first full implementation of this legislation. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati emphasized the importance of this event, stating:
“This marks a historic event between France and Madagascar.” – Rachida Dati
In recent years, France has taken extraordinary steps to atone for its colonial past. The country has made substantial efforts in recent years to return cultural artifacts to African nations. In 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed a commitment to this cause, saying:
“Within the next five years, I want to see the conditions put in place so as to allow for the temporary or definitive restitution of African cultural heritage to Africa.” – French President Emmanuel Macron
The return of these skulls is more than a symbolic act. This is a significant milestone in the recognition and commemoration of Madagascar’s complex, vibrant history and heritage. Fetra Rakotondrasoava, the permanent secretary of Madagascar’s Ministry of Culture, highlighted the significance of this occasion, stating:
“This is not only the repatriation of human remains, but the return of a part of our history and memory.” – Fetra Rakotondrasoava
Volamiranty Donna Mara, Madagascar’s Communication and Culture Minister, echoed these sentiments by emphasizing that these remains are:
“Not mere objects in a collection,” adding they are “invisible and indelible, which binds our present to our past.” – Volamiranty Donna Mara
For the Malagasy people, the return of these skulls is profoundly symbolic. In doing so, it illustrates an increasingly global trend of countries seeking to restore their cultural patrimony.
