France’s National Assembly has formally approved on Monday, July 7, the return of the sacred Djidji Ayôkwé drum to Ivory Coast, marking the final legislative step in a long-awaited restitution process.
This decision follows a similar vote in the French Senate and responds to a request first made by the Ivorian government six years ago. The “talking drum”, seized by French colonial forces in 1916, was historically used to transmit warning messages across villages and holds deep cultural significance. Weighing 530 kilograms and stretching three metres long, the wooden artifact was restored in 2022 and awaits final transfer to Abidjan following a 2023 deposit agreement between the two nations.
The return of the drum highlights growing international pressure on former colonial powers to repatriate looted cultural artifacts, though France’s process has been criticised for its sluggish pace—having returned only 27 such items to date, primarily to Benin and Senegal. The imminent homecoming of the Djidji Ayôkwé drum, however, symbolises a significant act of historical justice and cultural healing. While a precise date for its repatriation remains unannounced, the legislative endorsement ensures that the sacred drum’s century-long exile is nearing its conclusion, promising a powerful moment of reconnection for Ivory Coast.