In a significant move, the culture ministers of France and Madagascar have initiated the process of repatriating human remains taken from the Indian Ocean island during French colonial rule. Madagascar has requested the return of King Toera’s skull, which was beheaded by French troops in the early days of colonization. This marks a historic step following France’s decision in 2023 to facilitate the restitution of human remains in its public collections.
Culture Minister Rachida Dati expressed France’s desire to address this expectation and described the moment as historic, alongside her Madagascan counterpart Volamiranty Donna Mara. The remains of King Toera and two chiefs from Madagascar’s Sakalava ethnic group, currently housed in Paris’s natural history museum, will be reviewed by a joint scientific committee before a decision is made by the French government.
MP Christophe Marion emphasized the act of reconciliation in returning ancestral remains, highlighting France’s efforts to return artifacts and property. Despite some challenges, there is a growing recognition of the importance of healing historical wounds through restitution.