France Returns Skulls of Madagascar’s King After 128 Years
In a historic and emotional moment, France has returned three human skulls to Madagascar, including that of 19th-century Malagasy King Toera of the Sakalava tribe. The return, which came 128 years after they were taken to France, marks a powerful step in addressing colonial injustices.
📌 Ceremony in Paris
The handover took place on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at the French Ministry of Culture. This was the first application of a French law passed in 2023, which allows the restitution of human remains to their country of origin for proper burial.
⚔️ King Toera’s Death in Rebellion
King Toera was killed in August 1897 during a violent uprising against the Merina Empire, which had expanded under French support in western Madagascar. French troops beheaded him after the defeat and took his skull to Paris as a symbol of conquest. It was displayed for decades at the National Museum of Natural History alongside other colonial remains.
Along with Toera, the remains of two warriors who fought alongside him were also taken. Their skulls too were returned in this ceremony.
📢 Acknowledging Colonial Violence
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati admitted the presence of the skulls in the French collection was a direct violation of human dignity and a dark reminder of colonial violence.
Madagascar’s Culture Minister Volamiranti Donna Mara called the return “an unprecedented step that heals an open wound.” She added, “For 128 years, the absence of our king was a pain in the heart of our nation.”
🌍 France’s Changing Approach
President Emmanuel Macron has pushed for the return of African cultural heritage and human remains since taking office in 2017. Earlier this year, during a visit to Madagascar, Macron apologized for France’s “brutal and tragic” colonization of the island.
The three skulls will be flown back to Madagascar’s Indian Ocean island on Sunday, where they will be given a ceremonial burial.
👉 This act of restitution is being seen as a turning point in France-Madagascar relations, reflecting a broader shift in Europe’s approach to confronting colonial history.
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