France’s parliament has passed a new law allowing the permanent return of a sacred Ivorian drum taken by colonial troops in 1916.
The Djidji Ayokwè drum, once used by the Ébrié people of Côte d’Ivoire to send important messages between villages, sat in the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris—until now. However, years of pressure from Ivorian officials and cultural advocates led to formal negotiations between both countries. In 2024, a temporary loan placed the drum on display at the Museum of Civilisations in Abidjan, but its legal ownership remained with France.
Now, with this new law passed on July 7, 2025, the French government has officially removed the drum from its national collection. This action clears the way for its full and permanent return to Côte d’Ivoire.
(Image credit: © Pierre Firtion / RFI, December 2022.)
For the Ébrié people, the Djidji Ayokwè is more than an artifact—it is a living symbol of identity and heritage. The drum once echoed across communities, announcing ceremonies, warnings, and major events. Its removal during French colonial campaigns was not only a loss of an object but a disruption of cultural continuity.
France’s decision is part of a broader shift in its approach to colonial-era artifacts. In 2017, President Emmanuel Macron promised to return African heritage items held in French museums. Since then, the government has made some progress, but critics say the pace remains slow and inconsistent.
Even so, this recent vote marks a rare victory. It follows years of public debate, legal challenges, and international pressure. More importantly, it sets a legal precedent for similar restitutions in the future.
France and Côte d’Ivoire are expected to finalize the transfer process in the coming weeks. Cultural authorities in Abidjan have already begun preparing for an official homecoming ceremony.
