France repatriates stolen colonial-era 'talking drum' to Ivory Coast
France 24
by FRANCE 24February 20, 2026
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France has returned a significant cultural artifact, the Djidji Ayokwe "talking drum," to Ivory Coast, marking an important step in its ongoing efforts to repatriate colonial-era looted items. The drum, measuring over three meters long and weighing 430 kilograms, was taken by French colonial forces in 1916 and had been held in France for decades. This gesture is part of a broader initiative by France to return hundreds of objects to their countries of origin, with new legislation set to accelerate the process. The repatriation is seen as a symbolic move toward healing historical wounds and strengthening ties between France and its former colonies.
The Djidji Ayokwe drum, used by the Ebrie tribe for communication, is a culturally significant artifact that once served as a vital tool for transmitting messages across long distances. During a ceremony in Paris, Ivory Coast's Culture Minister, Franço
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Originally published on France 24 on 2/20/2026