Ivorian Talking Drum Returns Home After a Century of Colonial Seizure
The revered Djidji Ayôkwé, a talking drum of significant cultural importance, has finally found its way back to its origins in Côte d'Ivoire. This monumental instrument, appropriated by French colonial soldiers more than a century ago, has been ceremonially returned to its home village of Adjame, marking a poignant moment for the community and a major stride in the global movement for artifact restitution.
Details of the Historical Return
On August 7, 2026, the Djidji Ayôkwé, a sacred “talking drum,” made its long-awaited return to Adjame, a village in Côte d'Ivoire, where it was originally crafted. This event was met with widespread celebration and deep emotion from the local community. The drum, an imposing artifact measuring ten feet in length and weighing 940 pounds, is characterized by its unique single-piece soundbox, split lengthwise, and adorned with intricate carvings of a leaping leopard, as well as painted faces and geometric patterns.
Historically, the Atchan/Ebrié people utilized this powerful instrument to convey critical messages between distant villages. Its unique sounds were instrumental in transmitting warnings, including those about impending French colonial recruitment drives, which ultimately led to its seizure by colonial authorities in 1916 as a measure to suppress local resistance.
Following its confiscation, the Djidji Ayôkwé was kept outside the French governor's residence in Côte d'Ivoire until 1929, when it was transported to France. For decades, it was housed at Paris's Musée Quai Branly, where it recently underwent restoration before its journey home.
The repatriation of the Djidji Ayôkwé is a direct result of Côte d’Ivoire’s 2019 request for the return of 148 cultural artifacts. This petition gained momentum after French President Emmanuel Macron's 2017 commitment to return art pieces plundered during the colonial period. After a vote by the French parliament in 2025 that authorized its repatriation, the drum was formally handed over to the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire in a ceremony at the Musée Quai Branly in February 2026. While it arrived in Côte d’Ivoire in March, it remained crated until its grand unveiling in August.
The drum’s journey culminated in a parade through Abidjan’s Yopougon district, where it was displayed in a glass case on a float, before reaching Adjame. There, it was greeted by Ivorian Minister of Culture Françoise Remarck, alongside an assembly of local leaders and residents.
Farikou Soumahoro, the mayor of Adjame, emphasized the importance of cultural preservation, stating, “A nation cannot develop if it doesn’t preserve its memory and promote its heritage.” Villager Jacqueline Akrebie expressed the community's profound sense of belonging, saying, “We want to see the drum with our own eyes so we can truly believe it belongs to us.” Traditional leader Cyriaque Ahoure added that the moment was one of “great joy, when we remember our ancestors.”
The Djidji Ayôkwé is slated for exhibition at the Museum of Civilizations in Abidjan, ensuring its continued cultural significance for future generations.
The return of the Djidji Ayôkwé underscores a growing global consensus regarding the restitution of cultural property. In recent years, museums and collectors in the United States and Europe have faced increasing calls to return artifacts to their communities of origin. In April, France enacted a new law specifically designed to facilitate the restitution of items acquired unlawfully between 1815 and 1972. This legislative action, combined with the successful repatriation of the talking drum, highlights a significant shift towards rectifying historical injustices and fostering cultural reconciliation.