Keypoints:
- France approves return of Ebrie tribe’s sacred drum
- Artefact was taken during colonial era in 1916
- Macron sees repatriation as part of ‘new relationship’
FRANCE’S parliament has approved the return of a sacred ceremonial drum looted by colonial troops over a centu
ry ago, marking a significant moment in the ongoing restitution of African heritage.
On Monday, lawmakers in the French National Assembly voted to remove the Djidji Ayokwe talking drum from national museum collections, clearing the way for its repatriation to Cote d’Ivoire. The French Senate had already backed the move in April.
The massive artefact, which measures over three metres in length and weighs 430 kilogrammes, belonged to the Ebrie people of what is now southern Cote d’Ivoire. It was seized in 1916 during French colonial rule.
Used as a powerful communication tool, the drum once served as a kind of long-range messaging device—transmitting warnings of forced recruitment or rallying communities. Its return is deeply symbolic for the Ebrie, who view it not only as an instrument of sound but also as a cultural beacon.
Macron’s pledge fulfilled
The repatriation follows a formal request made by Cote d’Ivoire in 2018 for the return of 148 looted artefacts, including the drum. French President Emmanuel Macron pledged
in 2021 to return the Djidji Ayokwe and other significant works, part of his broader commitment to repairing ties with former colonies in Africa.
Clavaire Aguego Mobio, leader of the Ebrie community, described the move at the time as ‘a highly historic moment’. Speaking to AFP, he compared the drum to modern digital networks: ‘It was our loudspeaker, our Facebook’.
The Ebrie had long feared the sacred instrument would never come home. Its planned return is now seen as a powerful recognition of the tribe’s cultural identity and historical trauma.
A new chapter in Franco-African ties
Since taking office in 2017, President Macron has gone further than any of his predecessors in acknowledging the injustices of France’s colonial past. He has actively pursued the return of African cultural artefacts and has made heritage restitution a central pillar of what he calls a ‘new relationship’ with the continent.
The return of the Djidji Ayokwe drum follows other high-profile restitutions, including a 2021 handover of 26 royal treasures to Benin.
The move has been widely welcomed by African leaders, historians and cultural institutions, who argue that restoring looted heritage is key to healing colonial wounds and empowering local communities.
For France, the approval signals a growing readiness to confront difficult historical legacies and reshape its presence in Africa—not through control, but through respect and recognition.
