The Digester

A sacred Ebrié talking drum looted during colonial rule has been flown back to Abidjan after France passed a law authorizing its restitution, marking a symbolic step in wider repatriation efforts.

The Djidji Ayôkwé, a sacred Ebrié talking drum taken by French forces in 1916 and moved to France in 1929, was officially handed back on 20 February.
The drum is carved from iroko wood, measures about three metres long and weighs roughly 430 kilograms.
It was displayed at the Trocadéro and later the Quai Branly museums in Paris before its restitution.
The return follows a 2017 push for repatriation and required a special French law passed by parliament to authorize the restitution.
Ivory Coast is seeking the return of 148 objects and France has already repatriated items to Benin and Senegal.
The drum arrived in Abidjan by chartered plane and was received at the airport by members of the Ebrié community, traditional dancers and local chiefs.

France returns Djidji Ayôkwé talking drum to Ivory Coast

Articles