Le retour des crânes (Tanzanie, 2022). Un exemple des problèmes liés à la restitution des restes humains en Afrique
C. BaroinÀ l’époque coloniale, de nombreux crânes d’Africains furent expédiés pour étude vers les musées d’Europe, où la craniologie battait son plein. Le mouvement est inverse aujourd’hui, et les demandes de restitution par les pays d’Afrique d’objets culturels et de restes humains se multiplient. Certains crânes confisqués sont aujourd’hui investis, en Tanzanie notamment, d’une immense valeur symbolique, car ce sont les restes de héros de la résistance anticoloniale. Pendus en public, ces derniers n’eurent pas droit à une sépulture et leurs crânes furent expédiés vers l’Allemagne du IIe Reich. Mais après un long silence, les descendants demandent leur retour pour témoigner d’un passé désormais considéré comme glorieux et pour servir de leçon aux générations futures. Leur restitution pose toutefois de nombreux problèmes, d’identification d’abord, mais aussi juridiques, politiques et financiers. Nous dressons ici un bilan de la situation en Tanzanie et en Allemagne, pour ensuite faire un rapide tour d’horizon dans d’autres pays d’Europe.
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Baroin C. (2024) ‒ Le retour des crânes (Tanzanie 2022), Journal des Africanistes, 94, 1‑2, p. 216. https://shs.hal.science/halshs-05023477 [Accédé le 9 avril 2025].
Emilie Lesvignes
MNHN