ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — A sacred wooden drum seized by French colonial forces over a century ago has been returned to Ivory Coast in what officials are calling a historic moment of cultural restoration.
The ceremonial return on Friday marked the first time France has given back a cultural artifact to the West African nation, representing part of ongoing international efforts to restore treasured items taken during colonial rule.
Known as the Djidji Ayôkwé, the enormous hand-carved drum was originally used by the Atchan community near Abidjan for inter-village communication before French authorities confiscated it in 1916. The artifact is one of at least 140 cultural items that Ivory Coast has requested France return.
“This is a historic day and a moment of justice and remembrance,” declared Ivory Coast Culture Minister Françoise Remarck during the reception ceremony at Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport.
The impressive drum, whose name translates to “panther-lion,” stretches approximately 11.5 feet in length and tips the scales at nearly 950 pounds. Historical records indicate the drum served as an early warning system, alerting communities about colonial forced labor recruitment drives.
The repatriation initiative stems from French President Emmanuel Macron’s 2018 commitment to return African cultural artifacts, following recommendations from commissioned academic research. French lawmakers passed specialized legislation last year specifically allowing this Ivory Coast artifact to leave French museum collections.
The return process involved extensive coordination with Atchan traditional authorities, who made the journey to Paris to conduct ceremonial rituals that temporarily lifted the drum’s sacred designation, enabling restoration work and safe transport.
Village leaders who witnessed Friday’s homecoming described the moment as deeply meaningful for their community.
“After a long stay far from its land, our sacred drum is finally returning to its people,” expressed Aboussou Guy Mobio, chief of Adjamé-Bingerville village. “It is like the missing piece of our history coming back.”
The centuries-old artifact will spend the next month in a controlled environment, allowing the wood to slowly adapt from Paris’s arid conditions to Abidjan’s tropical humidity and prevent potential damage to the ancient material.
Public viewing is scheduled to begin in April when the drum goes on display at Abidjan’s newly refurbished Museum of Civilizations.
