France has formally returned the skull of King Toera, a Malagasy monarch executed during colonial rule, to Madagascar in a ceremony that symbolizes efforts toward historical reconciliation and addresses long-standing grievances from the colonial era. The handover, involving three skulls including that of the king, marks a significant step in France’s acknowledgment of its colonial past and aims to heal wounds for the Malagasy people.
The ceremony took place on August 26, 2025, at the French Ministry of Culture in Paris, where Culture Minister Rachida Dati presented the skulls to Malagasy officials, including Culture Minister Volamiranty Donna Mara. Attendees included descendants of King Toera, emphasizing the emotional and historical weight of the event. Minister Dati stated that the skulls entered French collections under circumstances that violated human dignity and occurred in a context of colonial violence, highlighting the need for such restitutions.
King Toera was the ruler of the Sakalava people in western Madagascar and was beheaded by French troops in 1897 after leading resistance against colonial expansion. His skull, along with those of two other Sakalava leaders, was taken as a trophy to France and stored for over a century in the National Museum of Natural History in Paris. These remains were part of a larger collection acquired during the colonial era, often for dubious scientific purposes.
The return was facilitated by a French law enacted in December 2023, which simplifies the process for repatriating human remains from museum collections. This legislation aims to address historical wrongs and promote reconciliation with former colonies, reflecting a broader shift in France’s approach to its colonial history. The law has been praised for enabling faster and more dignified restitutions, with this event being the first under its provisions.
Identification of King Toera’s skull posed challenges, as DNA tests conducted several years ago were inconclusive. Ultimately, a traditional Sakalava spirit medium confirmed the skull’s authenticity, blending modern and cultural methods to achieve closure. This approach underscores the importance of respecting indigenous knowledge and practices in such historical reconciliations.
French President Emmanuel Macron has previously acknowledged France’s colonial abuses in Madagascar, including during a visit in April 2025 where he spoke of seeking forgiveness for the bloody and tragic colonization. The restitution of the skulls was initially planned for that visit but was postponed due to local customs prohibiting ceremonies in April, demonstrating sensitivity to cultural considerations.
The skulls are now set to be returned to Madagascar and reburied according to local traditions, likely in the Menabe region or Bora, on the anniversary of the king’s death. This act is seen as healing an open wound that has persisted for over a century for the Malagasy people, particularly the Sakalava community, and brings a sense of completion to their cultural heritage.
This event follows other notable restitutions, such as the return of Sarah Baartman’s remains to South Africa in 2002, but sets a new precedent under the recent law. The Museum of Natural History in Paris holds thousands of similar remains, and this move may inspire further repatriations, contributing to global efforts to reconcile with colonial histories and promote cultural diplomacy.
