Côte d’Ivoire has officially received the historic Djidji Ayôkwé talking drum, marking the first cultural artifact returned from France after more than a century. The sacred drum was seized by French colonial forces in 1916 and kept in Paris for decades before its repatriation, as reported by Reuters.
The large wooden drum, measuring over three metres in length and weighing about 430 kilograms, historically served as a powerful communication instrument for the Ebrié (Atchan) people around Abidjan. It was traditionally used to relay messages between communities, announce major events, and mobilize resistance during the colonial era.
Officials, traditional leaders, and cultural groups welcomed the artifact with ceremonial celebrations upon its arrival, describing the moment as an important step toward restoring the country’s cultural heritage. Ivory Coast’s Minister of Culture Françoise Remarck said the drum’s return symbolises the recovery of an essential part of the nation’s identity and history.
The artifact will undergo a short preservation and acclimatization process before being exhibited at the Museum of Civilizations of Côte d’Ivoire. Associated Press says the return also strengthens ongoing efforts by Côte d’Ivoire to recover more than 140 cultural objects taken during the colonial period that remain in European museums.
