The sacred drum, once a powerful communication tool for Ivorian communities, is back home more than a century after it was seized during French colonial rule. Known as the Djidji Ayokwe, the massive wooden instrument was confiscated by French authorities in 1916 and later shipped to France, where it remained in museum collections for decades. Its recent return marks an important moment of cultural restitution and historical justice. For the Ebri people, the drum is more than just a craft. It represents a living symbol of identity, tradition and authority that was once able to convey a message to an entire community through sound alone.
The Return of the Sacred Talking Drum
Djidji Ayokwe has been officially returned to Côte d’Ivoire after the French parliament approved a special law allowing the artifact to be removed from France’s national collections. The Sacred Drum has been on display in Paris for decades, first at the former Trocadéro Museum and later at the Quai Branly Museum.The dance group arrived in Abidjan on a special flight and was welcomed by traditional dancers, local chiefs and cultural officials at Félix Houphouet-Boigny International Airport. The drum was kept in a large wooden box marked “fragile” as part of the care taken to preserve historical artifacts during transportation.Francoise Remarck, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Culture, described the moment as deeply moving and historically significant.“This is a historic day filled with a lot of emotion,” she said. “We are experiencing a moment of justice and remembrance that finally marks the return of the Gigi Ayoqui people to their place of origin.”
Traditional dancers in Abidjan welcome the return of Djidji Ayôkwé.
What is Djidji Ayokwe Talking Drum?
The Djidji Ayokwe, sometimes translated as “Leopard Lion”, is a giant wooden talking drum, over 3 meters long and weighing approximately 430 kilograms. It is carved from iroko, a durable hardwood widely used in West African craftsmanship.Unlike the small talking drums used by musicians, this instrument was designed for communication over long distances. Its powerful sound can travel across large tracts of land, allowing messages to reach multiple villages.The drum belongs to the Ebri people, an ethnic group that historically lived in the region of Abidjan, which is now Côte d’Ivoire’s largest city. In Ebri society, drums are considered sacred and closely associated with leadership and community authority.
why it’s called a talking drum
The name “talking drum” comes from the way the instrument mimics the rhythmic and tonal patterns of human speech.Many West African languages are tonal, meaning the pitch and rhythm of words can change their meaning. Skilled drummers learn how to reproduce these tonal patterns with carefully controlled beats. By adjusting rhythm, speed and pitch, they can transmit recognizable phrases and signals.Drums were an early communication system for communities living in forests and lagoons.Through specific rhythmic patterns, it can announce gatherings, convey important information, warn of danger, or summon people to rituals and emergencies. Villagers who are familiar with these patterns can decipher what the drum is “saying” even from a distance.
Ceremony commemorating the return of the Djidji Ayôkwé talking drum.
The drum of authority
In addition to its practical use, Djidji Ayokwe also has deep symbolic meaning. It represents authority within the community and is closely associated with traditional leadership.Drums are typically used by designated drummers who are entrusted with conveying important messages on behalf of chiefs and elders. Due to its sacred status, the instrument is not viewed as an ordinary musical device but as a cultural object associated with identity and governance.Its presence in a village signals unity and organization within the Ebri community.
How drums were taken away during colonial rule
The drum’s dismantling dates back to 1916, during French colonial rule in Côte d’Ivoire. French authorities reportedly confiscated the tool because they were concerned about its ability to mobilize communities and spread information quickly.After being seized, the drum was eventually shipped to France in 1929. There it became part of a museum collection documenting colonial African culture.For decades, Djidji Ayokwe remained distant from the community that created him.
part of a wider movement to repatriate cultural artefacts
The return of the talking drum is part of a wider international debate over the return of artifacts seized during colonial rule.In recent years, France has begun to return some important cultural relics to African countries. The process received a boost in 2017 when French President Emmanuel Macron declared that African heritage should be able to return to the continent.Côte d’Ivoire has requested the return of more than a hundred artifacts currently held in European museums. Djidji Ayokwe was one of the first artifacts to be repatriated.Similar comebacks have occurred elsewhere. France has previously returned royal treasures from Abomey to Benin, as well as a historic saber belonging to the Senegalese leader.
The Holy Drum’s new home
Upon his return, Djidji Ayokwe will be exhibited at the Museum of Civilization in Abidjan.Museum director Francis Tagero said the instrument will take center stage in the institution’s galleries so visitors can understand its cultural significance.“We are very happy and proud to receive this sacred drum,” Tagero said. “It means a lot to us and it will raise cultural awareness among the younger generation.”For many Ivorians, the return of the drum represents more than just the restoration of a historical artifact. It restores symbols of collective memory and reconnects a community with its cultural heritage that has been missing for more than a century.
