The restitution of the sacred Djidji Ayôkwé drum to Ivory Coast, more than a century after its seizure by French colonial authorities, is marred by doubts about its authenticity. Officially handed over on February 20, 2026, in Paris, this object, a symbol of the Ébrié people's identity, may not be the original, sparking anger and suspicion.
The Djidji Ayôkwé drum, 3 meters long and weighing 430 kg, was more than just a musical instrument. It was used to transmit messages, accompany sacred rituals, and represented a symbol of sovereignty for the Ébrié people. In 1916, French colonial authorities confiscated it before sending it to France in 1929, where it was kept for nearly a century.
The restitution ceremony, orchestrated by the French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, and her Ivorian counterpart, Françoise Remarck, was intended as a historic gesture. However, voices quickly rose to question the authenticity of the returned object. Experts and observers believe that France could have modified, replaced, or altered the drum during its detention.
The lack of transparency regarding the drum's authenticity is at the heart of the controversy. No scientific report has been made public to confirm that it is indeed the object seized in 1916, fueling doubt and a sense of injustice. In Abidjan, heritage specialists denounce an insufficient gesture and demand guarantees as to the drum's authenticity.
This case transcends the borders of Ivory Coast and reopens the debate on the restitution of thousands of African objects held in European museums. The restitution of the Djidji Ayôkwé is the first of a list of 148 works claimed by Abidjan, a strong memorial and identity issue. Ivory Coast awaits clarification to ensure that the symbol returned is indeed the one that was taken from it.
