The French envoy has been requested by two great-granddaughters of a Sakalava ruler of Madagascar who was put to death by colonial forces in 1897 to hasten the repatriation of their ancestor’s skull.
They are also requesting compensation for two more Sakalava people’s skulls. These remains, along with many other human remains from Madagascar, were looted during the French colonial conquest in the late 19th century and are presently kept at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris.
Following a raid by French colonial troops at Ambiky, 1897, the historic capital of the Menabe area, King Toera was killed in order to put down a rebellion. According to RFI, despite efforts, DNA testing has not been able to conclusively determine the identity of King Toera’s skull.
Two of King Toera’s great-granddaughters wrote a letter to French ambassador Arnaud Guillois on March 11 during the Taombaovao celebrations for the Malagasy New Year in Antananarivo.
Although Princess Julia Georgine Kamamy’s original restitution request was made by Sakalava King Magloire in 2003, this most recent petition is especially important.
As a direct descendant of King Toera, Princess Marie Francia Kamamy, the eldest daughter of Queen Georgette Kamamy, pointed out that this is the first request made under President Andry Rajoelina’s government.
“The reason why this restitution is so important to us is that according to Malagasy traditions if our grandfather’s body is not in its entirety in the tomb, his soul wanders endlessly,” she told RFI.
“He can’t fulfill his role as protective ancestor for his people and his descendants.
“That’s why we, the family, are asking for his skull to be returned to us. It would be a sign of forgiveness between the Malagasy and the French.”
The French delegate confirmed that the shared history of Franco-Malagasy relations is crucial for their future interactions, stating that he was aware of the importance of the restitution request.
The letter was swiftly submitted to French Culture Minister Rachida Dati when the French embassy in Madagascar verified receipt of it.
It is expected that a joint panel will make a decision about the return of King Toera’s skull and the other two skulls soon.
Enacted on December 26, the French law on the restitution of human remains from public collections is a component of a larger ethical assessment of the holdings of French museums.
