Skull return talks near completion

NEGOTIATIONS between the German and Namibian governments on the repatriation of dozens of Namibian skulls stored in German museums have gained momentum.

The Namibian understands that the German government has indicated its willingness to return the human skulls kept at German universities since the colonial era.The skulls belong to Nama and Herero victims of the uprising against German colonial rule between 1904 and 1908. The skulls of the dead were requested by a German scientist for research purposes.The Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Willem Konjore, said last week the parties still have to agree on when and how the repatriation will happen and what will happen to the skulls after being returned to Namibia. ‘If the parties involved agree on the logistics arrangements, we will then resume talks with the German government,’ said Konjore. Konjore said the date of the repatriation would only be announced once the talks had been finalised.The Namibian has it good on authority that Nama traditional chiefs were set to meet at Keetmanshoop to sort out logistics surrounding the repatriation of the skulls.Word has it that the Nama chiefs are divided over whether the skulls should be stored in a museum or buried after their return.luqman@namibian.com.na