France has returned a sacred talking drum looted from Côte d’Ivoire over 100 years ago, in one of the most significant cultural restitutions to a former French colony in years. The Djidji Ayôkwé, confiscated in 1916 by French colonial authorities, arrived at Port Bouët airport in Abidjan on Friday morning.
The drum, which is 4 metres long and weighs 430 kg, holds deep cultural and political significance for the Ebrié people. Used to mimic human speech, it served as a symbol of resistance and was employed to send messages over several miles, announcing deaths, celebrations or impending danger. It was seized after villagers resisted forced labour on a road.
Aboussou Guy Mobio, chief of the Adjamé-Bingerville community, described the return as “the missing piece of the puzzle” and a way to reconnect with ancestors. Françoise Remarck, Ivory Coast’s culture minister, called it “a moment of justice and remembrance” and thanked both President Alassane Ouattara and French President Emmanuel Macron for their efforts.
President Macron had promised to return the drum in 2021, but it took four years of discussions before the French parliament ratified the decision. The artefact had been held at the Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac Museum in Paris. It was handed over to Ivorian officials in early March.
Upon arrival, a cultural troupe performed the traditional tchaman dance as the crate was unloaded. The drum will be permanently installed at the Musée des Civilisations de Côte d’Ivoire in April. UNESCO has donated $100,000 for research and training at the museum. Sylvie Memel Kassi, a former museum director, said eight other objects are being studied for future restitution.
