NEW ORLEANS — In a poignant ceremony, New Orleans commemorated the repatriation and interment of 19 African American individuals whose skulls were once sent to Germany in the 19th century as part of racist research. On Saturday, a multifaith tribute, complete with a traditional jazz funeral, honored these individuals who have finally found peace at the Hurricane Katrina Memorial.
Monique Guillory, the president of Dillard University—a historically Black institution—was instrumental in the return of these remains, emphasizing the importance of remembering the humanity of these individuals. She remarked on the tragedy of their bodies being violated posthumously, stating, “This event allows us to pay homage to the dignity of all these individuals who were denied a respectful farewell and final resting place.”
Historically, these 19 individuals are believed to have died from natural causes between 1871 and 1872 while at Charity Hospital, a facility that served diverse communities in New Orleans during a time when racial oppression was rampant. The hospital has been closed since the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The remains, housed in 19 wooden caskets, lay in state in the university’s chapel during Saturday’s service, which also featured performances by the Kumbuka African Drum and Dance Collective. The spectacle aimed to restore the dignity of these individuals and serve as a testament to their humanity.
The torturous journey of these remains began when a local physician supplied the skulls to a German researcher focused on phrenology. This discredited pseudoscience wrongfully claimed that the shape of a person’s skull could determine racial characteristics.
Dr. Eva Baham, a historian who led efforts to bring the remains back, stated, “These individuals, both in life and death, faced inhumane experiments.” She stressed that these people had no control over their own fates, highlighting the significance of this repatriation.
In 2023, the University of Leipzig in Germany reached out to facilitate the return of the remains. Despite not immediately responding to comments, the university’s gesture illustrated an international commitment to restoring dignity. Dr. Baham noted, “This is a testament to our shared morality, both in New Orleans and Leipzig.”
Researchers at Dillard University are now embarking on a deeper investigation that might include tracing possible descendants of the individuals. Many of those commemorated were possibly former slaves who had only recently discovered freedom.
Guillory emphasized that these individuals were more than just historical figures, saying, “Though impoverished and indigent at the end of the 19th century, they had names, they had homes, and they walked through the vibrant city we cherish today. Everyone deserves acknowledgment of their humanity and life’s worth.”