The Djidji Ayokwe, a revered “talking drum” taken by French colonial troops in 1916 and brought to France, has finally returned to its original village in Ivory Coast. This significant homecoming coincided with the nation’s Independence Day, offering Ivorians their first opportunity to see the drum.
The impressive wooden drum, over three meters (10 feet) long and weighing 430 kilograms, was a vital tool for the Ebrie tribe, used to convey messages across distances. Officially handed over in February, it arrived in Ivory Coast in March on a specially chartered plane but remained in its large wooden crate until now.
In late 2018, Ivory Coast requested the return of the Djidji Ayokwe along with 148 other artworks taken during the colonial era. The drum is among many artifacts that Paris plans to return to Africa, following the approval of a new French law in May.
On Friday, the drum was part of a military parade through the Yopougon district of Abidjan, before proceeding to its birthplace in the village of Adjame. Displayed in a glass-fronted case on a lavishly adorned float, it was greeted by Culture Minister Francoise Remarck, traditional leaders, and hundreds of local residents.
A traditional libation ceremony took place, where participants poured small amounts of liquid onto the ground to honor their ancestors. Adjame’s mayor, Farikou Soumahoro, expressed “deep emotion and great pride,” emphasizing the importance of preserving heritage for national development.
Jacqueline Akrebie, a 69-year-old villager, expressed her eagerness to see the drum with her own eyes to affirm its return. Traditional leader Cyriaque Ahoure, 63, described the event as a moment of “great joy” in remembrance of their forebears.
More than just a musical instrument, the talking drum was an essential part of the Ebrie community’s communication, used to warn of dangers such as colonial threats, signal war calls, or summon villagers for gatherings. It was confiscated by French colonial authorities in 1916 and displayed in Paris for decades after being transported to Europe in 1929.
The drum is set to be exhibited at the Museum of Civilisations in Abidjan, which has undergone special renovations for this purpose. Countries like Senegal and Benin are also seeking the return of their cultural treasures. The repatriation of such artifacts from former colonies has become a pressing issue, with growing demands on European and American museums and collectors to return them.
