France has returned three human skulls to Madagascar, one of which is considered by the 19th -century Malagasi king Toira, who was from the Sakalawa tribe. This return came after 128 years, when these skulls were brought to France.

The return was made at a function held on Tuesday (August 26, 2025) in the Ministry of French Culture. This is the first use of the French law made in 2023, which gives the right to send human remains back to their original country for the funeral.

King was murdered during a bloody rebellion

According to the CNN report, the other two skulls were of the warriors who fought with King Torara and were also killed during a bloody rebellion against the Meenabe Empire in Western Madagascar. French soldiers defeated Sakalawa empires at the end of the 19th century and captured Madagascar.

In August 1897, French soldiers killed King Toraira of Madagascar and beheaded him. His skull was then taken to Paris as a sign of a victory and placed in the National Prakrit History Museum with many other remains.

Return of skulls is an unprecedented step

French Culture Minister Rachida Dati said, “These skulls were involved in such situations in the national collection, which clearly violated human dignity and were in terms of colonial violence.” According to Al Jazeera’s report, Madagascar’s Culture Minister Volamiranti Donna Mara said that the return of skulls is an unprecedented step, which makes a new phase in the relationship between France and Madagascar. For 128 years, the absence of our king was an open wound in the heart of our country.

Unique initiative of President of France

At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron has started obeying the old mistakes made by France in Africa since becoming President in 2017. During the visit of Madagascar in April, Macron said that he apologizes on Madagascar for the ‘Killer and Sad’ capture. Now the skulls will be brought back to the island of the Indian Ocean on Sunday to bury it.

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