The French government has approved the return of Côte d’Ivoire’s sacred talking drum, Djidji Ayôkwé, looted in 1916 by colonial forces.
In a unanimous vote, the French National Assembly passed the decision with 111 votes in favor.
Recall President Emmanuel Macron pledge in Ouagadougou to facilitate the restitution of African heritage in 2017.
French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati confirmed that the restitution will occur in two stages—following a preliminary deposit signed last November and a final handover ahead of the reopening of the Museum of Civilizations of Côte d’Ivoire, where the drum will be housed.
A special bill was passed to override heritage laws that protect national collections.
Dati also announced plans for a broader legislative framework on returning illicitly acquired cultural assets by the end of July. The three-meter-long, 430 kg drum—once used to send ritual and warning messages—has been kept in France since 1929 and restored in 2022 for repatriation.
Côte d’Ivoire has set up a national committee, led by Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, to oversee its return.
