Ivory Coast has welcomed home a precious piece of its cultural heritage after the sacred Djidji Ayokwe drum spent decades in France.
The historic “talking drum” was looted by French colonial troops in 1916. It was later taken to Europe, where it remained for decades.
The drum finally returned to its home country, allowing Ivorians to see the important cultural artefact for the first time.
Sacred Drum Returns to Its Home
The Djidji Ayokwe arrived in Ivory Coast in March after its official handover in February. However, it remained inside a large wooden crate until Friday’s ceremony.
The return ceremony coincided with Ivory Coast’s national independence day holiday. The drum was then carried through Abidjan’s Yopougon district during a military parade.
It later travelled to Adjame, the village where it was originally made.
The imposing wooden instrument measures more than three metres long. It also weighs around 430 kilogrammes.
The Ebrie community used the drum to transmit important messages. Moreover, it served purposes far beyond music and entertainment.
The drum could warn villagers about danger and summon them to ceremonies. It could also be used to call communities to war.
A Symbol of Memory and Heritage
The sacred drum was transported inside a glass-fronted case on a decorated float. Traditional leaders, government officials and hundreds of residents gathered to welcome it.
A dozen people also performed a libation ceremony. They poured a few drops of liquid onto the ground as an offering to their ancestors.
Adjame mayor Farikou Soumahoro described the moment as deeply significant.
“A nation cannot develop if it doesn’t preserve its memory and promote its heritage,” he said.
He also expressed “deep emotion and great pride” over the drum’s return.
For local residents, the moment carried a deeply personal meaning.
“We want to see the drum with our own eyes so we can truly believe it belongs to us,” 69-year-old villager Jacqueline Akrebie said.
Traditional leader Cyriaque Ahoure, 63, also described the occasion as a moment of “great joy, when we remembering our ancestors”.
From Colonial Seizure to Cultural Homecoming
French colonial authorities seized the Djidji Ayokwe in 1916. It was subsequently shipped to Europe in 1929.
The drum was then exhibited in Paris for decades.
Ivory Coast formally requested its return in late 2018. The request formed part of a wider demand involving 148 artworks taken during the colonial period.
The Djidji Ayokwe is now among hundreds of African artefacts that France is preparing to return.
Meanwhile, the issue of cultural repatriation continues to gain attention across Africa. Senegal and Benin have also requested the return of their cultural treasures.
Museums, institutions and collectors in Europe and the United States face growing pressure over artefacts taken from former colonies.
Djidji Ayokwe to Receive a Place of Honour
The sacred drum is expected to go on display at the Museum of Civilisations in Abidjan.
The museum has been specially renovated for its exhibition.
Francis Tagro, director of the Museum of Civilizations in Abidjan, said the drum would be displayed “in a place of honour in the heart of the national museum”.
“We are deeply happy and proud to receive this sacred drum. It means so much to us, it will elevate the sense of culture of the young generation,” he said.
Ivory Coast’s Culture Minister Françoise Remarck also described the occasion as a historic moment.
“This is a historic day with lot of emotions,” she said.
She added, “We are living through a moment of justice and remembrance that finally marks the return of the Djidji Ayôkwé to its land of origin.”
After more than a century away, the Djidji Ayokwe has finally returned to the community that created it.
Its homecoming therefore represents more than the return of an old instrument. It also reconnects a sacred symbol with its history, people and ancestral roots.
