France formally returned the skull of King Toera, a Malagasy monarch who was killed in a colonial-era conflict, to Madagascar during a ceremony held at the French culture ministry in Paris. The head of King Toera, alongside the skulls of two other members of his court, had been kept at the Museum of Natural History since it was taken from Madagascar at the end of the 19th century.
This handover represents a significant moment for Madagascar, as it marks the first instance under a new law aimed at facilitating the return of human remains held within French collections. The push for repatriation has gained momentum over the past few years, led by the king's descendants and the Malagasy government.
The tragic history surrounding King Toera dates back to August 1897, when French forces invaded the Menabé kingdom of the Sakalava people, leading to the king's decapitation and subsequent display of his remains in France. After nearly 130 years, the efforts for his return have finally borne fruit.
The event underscores an ongoing global dialogue about the restitution of artifacts and human remains taken during colonial times, with France having previously returned various items but now initiating more structured processes for repatriation.
In a further step towards acknowledging colonial injustices, it is hoped that this return of King Toera's skull will pave the way for the returns of other artifacts and remains from colonial pasts.
