France Returns Stolen Treasure: Talking Drum Heads Home to Ivory Coast 🇨🇮

France Returns Stolen Treasure: Talking Drum Heads Home to Ivory Coast 🇨🇮

In a historic move, France has returned a sacred “talking drum” looted during the colonial era to Ivory Coast. The Djidji Ayokwe drum, seized in 1916, was handed over at a ceremony in Paris, marking a significant step in reparative justice.

The drum, measuring over 3 meters long and weighing 430kg, was used by the Ebrie community to transmit messages. Ivory Coast’s Culture Minister, Francoise Remarck, called it a “symbol” finally returning home . France’s Culture Minister, Rachida Dati, emphasized the importance of restitution.

This return is part of France’s efforts to repatriate hundreds of objects to African nations. European countries are facing growing calls to return artefacts acquired during colonial rule. The drum will be exhibited in a new museum in Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s commercial capital.