France returns sacred talking drum looted from Côte d’Ivoire over 100 years ago

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France has returned the Djidji Ayôkwé, a sacred talking drum looted from Côte d'Ivoire by French colonial authorities in 1916, in one of the most significant cultural restitutions to a former French colony in recent years. The artefact was handed to Ivorian officials in Paris and subsequently flown to Abidjan's Port Bouët airport. The restitution marks a notable step in France's broader reckoning with its colonial heritage.

Djidji Ayôkwé was handed to Ivorian officials in Paris earlier this month A sacred artefact looted by French colonial authorities more than a century ago has been returned to Côte d’Ivoire in one of the most significant cultural restitutions to a former French colony in years. The Djidji Ayôkwé, a talking drum confiscated in 1916 by French administrators, landed at 8.45am on Friday at the airport in Port Bouët on the outskirts of the economic capital, Abidjan. It was handed over to Ivorian officials in Paris earlier this month after being removed from the Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac Museum. Continue reading...