• Madagascar has received three skulls from France, including that of King Toera.
• This is the first restitution under a 2023 French law facilitating the return of human remains.
• The ceremony involved traditional rituals by the Sakalava people, honoring their heritage.
• King Toera's remains were part of a historical struggle against colonial oppression.
• The event highlights growing pressure for the return of colonial artifacts globally.

On September 2, Madagascar officially received three colonial-era skulls from France, with one believed to belong to King Toera, a notable figure beheaded by French troops in 1897. This restitution marks a significant cultural moment, occurring 128 years after the skulls were taken during colonial rule, and is the first such act following the adoption of a 2023 law in France aimed at simplifying the return of human remains, according to Le Monde and Reuters.

The skulls were ceremonially handed over at a Paris event on August 27, attended by dignitaries including Malagasy representatives. Upon their arrival in Madagascar, they were welcomed by members of the Sakalava ethnic group who participated in traditional rituals to honor their heritage. President Andry Rajoelina emphasized the importance of remembering their past, declaring, "If we want to move forward, we must know our past, our history," according to Le Monde and Dawn.

The return of these skulls is not only a ceremonial event but also carries profound political and cultural implications for the Sakalava people, allowing them to perform the Fitampoha, a traditional ritual of purification using ancestral relics. King Toera's great-grandson, who presided over the ceremony, expressed a collective sense of relief and joy among the Sakalava community, stating, "Today is a day of joy," as they welcomed home their ancestral remains, according to Reuters and Dawn.