France Returns Sacred Talking Drum Looted from Côte d'Ivoire Over a Century Ago
In a landmark act of cultural restitution, France has returned the Djidji Ayôkwé, a sacred talking drum looted by French colonial authorities more than a century ago, to Côte d'Ivoire. This event represents one of the most significant cultural restitutions to a former French colony in recent years, symbolising a step towards addressing historical injustices.
Ceremony and Arrival in Abidjan
The Djidji Ayôkwé arrived at 8.45am on Friday at Félix Houphouët-Boigny airport in Port Bouët, on the outskirts of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire's economic capital. The drum had been handed over to Ivorian officials in Paris earlier this month after its removal from the Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac Museum. A restitution ceremony was held at the museum, marking the formal transfer.
Upon its arrival, a traditional dancer performed in front of the crate containing the drum, as part of the repatriation of stolen artefacts. Aboussou Guy Mobio, the chief of the Adjamé-Bingerville community, expressed profound emotion, stating, "After a long stay away from this land, it is returning to its own people, and it is an honour for us and a relief to welcome it. This is the missing piece of the puzzle that is returning today. Receiving this sacred instrument is a relief, but it is also another form of connection with our ancestors who were very close to this instrument."
Historical and Cultural Significance
The Djidji Ayôkwé is a 4-metre, 430kg hourglass-shaped pressure drum, designed to mimic human speech through tone, pitch, and rhythm. It held immense cultural and political significance for the Ebrié people, after whom the lagoon in Abidjan is named, serving as a symbol of resistance. Before and during colonial times, it was used to send messages over several miles to announce deaths, celebrations, or alert villages to impending danger.
In 1916, colonial authorities confiscated the drum after villagers resisted forced labour on a road, taking it to France. Its return follows a promise made by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2021, but it required four years of discussions and lobbying for the French parliament to ratify and approve the decision.
Official Reactions and Future Plans
Françoise Remarck, the Minister of Culture and Francophonie in Côte d'Ivoire, described the moment as one of "deep emotion, justice, and remembrance." In her speech, she thanked President Alassane Ouattara and Macron, calling it "a historic day." She addressed the drum directly, saying, "Djidji Ayôkwé, today your return is a message for our youth who have chosen to reclaim their history, and for the communities ... a symbol of social cohesion, peace, and dialogue. 13 March is just one step."
As a forklift operator rolled the wooden crate from the aircraft, a cultural troupe broke into the traditional tchaman dance. Another ceremony is expected to herald the permanent installation of the drum at the Musée des Civilisations de Côte d'Ivoire in the Plateau administrative district, likely in April. In preparation for public exhibition, Unesco has donated $100,000 through its Abidjan office for research and training at the museum.
Implications for Further Restitution
Sylvie Memel Kassi, a former director of the museum and founder of the TAPA Foundation for Arts and Culture, noted that the drum's return paves the way for more restitution efforts. "We are studying eight other objects," she said, referring to ongoing collaborations between Ivorian and French authorities. This event highlights a growing movement towards returning looted artefacts to their countries of origin, fostering cultural heritage and reconciliation.
