Fatshimetrie
The case of the royal Sakalava skulls, a subject of discord between France and Madagascar, continues to arouse keen interest and deep reflection on shared historical memory. The bilateral Franco-Malagasy commission, set up to examine the issue of the restitution of these human remains loaded with symbolism, is at a decisive turning point. The report it is due to submit by the end of the year will shed light on the prospects for this long-awaited restitution.
At the heart of this process is a French historian, Klara Boyer-Rossol, whose dedication and perseverance made it possible to identify the skull of King Toera, an emblematic figure of Malagasy resistance to colonization. Her meticulous research work in the dispersed colonial archives revealed the need to return this relic, which is essential to Malagasy collective memory.
The return of these sacred skulls to the Big Island is of capital importance for the respect of Malagasy traditions and beliefs. Indeed, in Malagasy culture, the unity of the bones of a deceased person is essential for the ritual of bathing royal relics, thus demonstrating the deep attachment to respect for ancestors and their sacred land.
Historian researcher Bako Rasoarifetra underlines the symbolic importance of this restitution for the entire Malagasy population, beyond the Sakalava community alone. The return of the royal skulls to Madagascar represents an act of justice and reparation for a painful past, marked by colonial violence and dispossession.
The process of returning the Sakalava skulls is part of a broader movement of recognition and respect for the cultural rights of indigenous peoples. By involving researchers from requesting countries, France is committed to a process of dialogue and scientific partnership to conduct this delicate process with rigor and transparency.
Through this initiative, France wishes to restore to these human remains a lost “human dignity” by returning them to their lands of origin. This gesture is also part of a more global approach to respecting cultural heritage and promoting the historical memory of colonized peoples.
The return of the Sakalava skulls to Madagascar will highlight the common desire to recognize the suffering of the past and to build a future based on justice and mutual respect. This symbolic gesture will recall the need to recognize and repair the injustices of the past, to build a more just and equitable future for all.
In conclusion, the return of the royal Sakalava skulls to Madagascar offers a unique opportunity for reconciliation and reconstruction of the common historical memory. It is an important step towards the recognition of the cultural rights of indigenous peoples and the respect of their ancestral heritage. An essential step towards the advent of a more inclusive society that respects cultural and historical diversity.