Abidjan, Ivory Coast – A centuries-old “talking drum,” known as the Djidji Ayôkwé, has returned to Ivory Coast after being looted by French colonial forces in 1916. The repatriation, completed Friday, marks a significant moment in the ongoing global reckoning with the legacy of colonialism and the return of cultural artifacts to their countries of origin. The drum’s arrival at Abidjan International Airport was met with celebration, featuring traditional songs and dances performed by members of the Ebrié community, the drum’s original owners.
The Djidji Ayôkwé, measuring over three metres (approximately 10 feet) in length and weighing nearly 400 kg (880 pounds), served as a vital communication tool for the Atchan people of southern Ivory Coast. Beyond its ceremonial importance, the drum was historically used to warn communities of forced labor operations imposed by colonizers and to mobilize fighters, according to reports. Its return is the first fulfillment of a larger commitment by France to repatriate 148 works of art taken during the colonial period, a process that began in 2017.
A Symbol of Cultural Identity Reclaimed
Ivory Coast’s Minister of Culture and Francophonie, Françoise Remarck, described the moment as “a historic day, and I am deeply moved.” She emphasized the emotional weight of the repatriation, stating, “We are living a moment of justice and remembrance.” The drum had been on display at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris before its official handover to Ivorian officials on February 20, following a parliamentary decision authorizing its restitution. The BBC reported that the drum arrived aboard a specially chartered plane, remaining in its protective wooden crate marked “fragile” upon arrival.
Gervais Djoman, chief of an Atchan village, expressed the profound significance of the drum’s return to his community. “We are reclaiming our identity. Psychologically, something had been taken from us,” he told Reuters while donning a traditional loincloth. The repatriation is seen as more than just the return of an object. it’s a restoration of cultural heritage and a step towards healing historical wounds.
Growing International Pressure for Restitution
The return of the Djidji Ayôkwé is part of a broader trend of increasing pressure on former colonial powers, including France and Britain, to return artifacts acquired during periods of colonial rule. The Guardian notes that French President Emmanuel Macron pledged in 2021 to return the drum and other artifacts to Ivory Coast, signaling a shift in policy towards acknowledging and addressing the consequences of colonial-era acquisitions.
The drum was initially confiscated in 1916 and kept at the governor’s palace in Abidjan before being transported to France in 1930, according to the Ivorian culture ministry. It will now be exhibited “in a place of honor in the heart of the national museum,” as stated by Francis Tagro, director of the Museum of Civilizations in Abidjan. The museum has undergone renovations to prepare for the drum’s arrival, and it will initially be held in a “safe space” to acclimatize to its recent environment.
The Djidji Ayôkwé, meaning “Panther-Lion” in the Atchan language, is a pressure drum designed to mimic human speech, allowing for complex messages to be transmitted over distances. Its return represents a powerful symbol of cultural sovereignty and a renewed connection to ancestral traditions for the people of Ivory Coast.
Looking ahead, the Ivorian culture ministry continues to pursue the repatriation of the remaining 147 artifacts from France. This latest development is expected to further galvanize efforts to reclaim cultural heritage across the African continent and beyond, prompting continued dialogue and action on the complex issue of colonial-era restitution.
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