Published：Mar 13, 04:53Last updated：Mar 14, 06:24

France Returns Sacred Talking Drum to Ivory Coast

Mar. 13, 2026 04:53

The Djidji Ayokwé, an Ivorian cultural artifact taken by France in 1916, returned to Abidjan on Friday morning. Côte d'Ivoire had officially requested its return in 2019, and the process culminated with a ceremony in Paris on February 20, marking the end of diplomatic negotiations.

Summarized

10News

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Mar. 13, 2026 23:23

On March 13, 2026, Ivorian Culture Minister Françoise Remarck delivered a speech at a celebration in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, marking the restitution of the 'talking drum' artifact. The drum was looted by French colonizers over a century ago and has now been returned to Côte d'Ivoire, symbolizing cultural restitution.

Mar. 14, 2026 06:24

On March 13, Ivory Coast received the 'Talking Drum,' a sacred cultural artifact of the Ebri people, which was looted by French colonizers in 1916 and kept in a Paris museum. The drum, about 3.3-3.5 meters long and weighing around 430 kg, was the first of nearly 150 artifacts France agreed to return. UNESCO highlighted this as a significant step in restoring Africa's cultural heritage stolen during colonization.

The long-awaited return of the Djidji Ayokwé, a sacred talking drum looted by French colonial authorities in 1916, marks a historic moment for Côte d’Ivoire and the broader movement for cultural restitution in Africa. The artifact, which had been housed at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris, arrived in Abidjan on March 13, 2026, following years of diplomatic negotiations and public advocacy. The event was celebrated with ceremonies attended by government officials, traditional elders, and local communities, symbolizing both the restoration of cultural heritage and a step toward healing colonial wounds. Radio France Internationale+2

🥁 The Drum’s Cultural and Historical Significance

The Djidji Ayokwé, measuring over three meters long and weighing nearly 400 kg, is a revered object among the Bidjans and Ebri peoples. Historically, the drum was used to alert villagers, mobilize fighters, and communicate urgent messages, especially during periods of forced labor under colonial rule. Its return is seen as a powerful act of cultural revival and a tribute to the resilience of Ivorian traditions. The Independent+2

🤝 Diplomatic Negotiations and Restitution Efforts

Côte d’Ivoire officially requested the drum’s return in 2019, culminating in a handover ceremony in Paris on February 20, 2026. The restitution is part of a broader French initiative, launched in 2017, to repatriate African artifacts looted during the colonial era. The Djidji Ayokwé is the first of nearly 150 artifacts France has agreed to return to Ivory Coast, signaling a shift in international attitudes toward cultural heritage. Toronto Star+2

🎉 Community Celebration and International Recognition

Upon arrival, the drum was welcomed at Abidjan’s main airport by traditional elders and government officials, including Culture Minister Françoise Remarck, who emphasized its symbolic importance in her speech. UNESCO has highlighted the restitution as a significant milestone in global efforts to restore Africa’s stolen heritage. The event has inspired renewed calls for the return of other cultural treasures to their countries of origin. Russian Gazette+2

UNESCOAbidjanDjidji AyokwéFrançoise RemarckQuai Branly Museum