France Approves Return of Sacred Djidji Ayôkwé Drum to Côte d’Ivoire

A Drum of Deep Significance

Carved from a single tree and stretching over three meters long, the Djidji Ayôkwé is a monumental “talking drum” weighing more than 430 kilograms. For the Ébrié (Atchan) people, it was the heartbeat of the community—its resonant tones could transmit messages across 30 kilometers, summoning villagers for ceremonies, warning of danger, or marking important rituals. The drum was not merely an instrument, but a vessel of memory, governance, and spiritual life.

In 1916, French colonial troops seized the drum from Adjamé after the community resisted forced labor. This loss symbolized the broader dispossession and cultural disruption of colonial rule.

Legislative Milestone and Restoration

On July 7, 2025, the French National Assembly unanimously passed a law authorizing the return of the Djidji Ayôkwé, following a similar Senate vote in April. This legislation declassifies the drum from France’s national collections, clearing the way for its transfer to Abidjan’s Museum of Civilizations. The decision follows years of advocacy and a formal restitution request by Ivorian authorities.

The drum, long stored at Paris’s Musée du quai Branly, underwent meticulous restoration in 2022 to repair damage from decades of exposure and neglect. Conservators stabilized the wood and preserved its acoustic properties, ensuring it could be displayed with dignity upon its return.

Cultural and Emotional Resonance

For the Ébrié people and Ivorians nationwide, the drum’s homecoming is deeply emotional. Community leaders describe the drum as a “loudspeaker” of tradition and resistance, and its absence as a wound to their collective identity. “This is an act of justice, and a victory over oblivion,” said Silvie Memel Kassi, former director of the Museum of Civilizations of Côte d’Ivoire.

Preparations in Abidjan are underway for a ceremonial welcome, with the Atchan community at the heart of the celebrations. The return is seen as a restoration of dignity and a bridge between generations.

Reactions in France and Côte d’Ivoire

French lawmakers and cultural officials have framed the restitution as part of a broader reckoning with colonial history. President Emmanuel Macron’s administration has prioritized the return of African artifacts, with Culture Minister Rachida Dati and her Ivorian counterpart Françoise Remarck signing a deposit agreement in late 2024 to facilitate the transfer. Ivorian officials have expressed gratitude, emphasizing that the drum’s return is crucial for national healing and cultural continuity.

The Final Steps: Drum’s Transfer Imminent

With the legislative process complete, the Djidji Ayôkwé is cleared for repatriation. Its arrival in Abidjan is expected soon, marking the end of a 109-year exile and the beginning of a new chapter in Ivorian cultural history.

A Turning Point in Restitution

The return of the Djidji Ayôkwé is emblematic of a broader shift in Europe’s approach to colonial-era artifacts. While France has been criticized for the slow pace of restitution—having returned only a handful of artifacts so far—this case signals growing momentum for African nations seeking justice and the restoration of their heritage.

For the Ébrié people, Côte d’Ivoire, and advocates across Africa and the diaspora, the drum’s homecoming is more than the return of a sacred object: it is a powerful act of remembrance, justice, and hope.