The sacred drum of the Attie people returned to its homeland in Côte d'Ivoire
When an artefact seized by colonial authorities more than a century ago returns to its homeland, the echo of its voice transcends time and space, giving back to a people not only their memory but also their dignity. Djidji Ayokwe is not merely a musical instrument – it is a living chronicle of resistance, the voice of ancestors that fell silent in 1916 when French colonial forces took it from Africa. Now, 110 years later, the drum has returned to sound once more – not as a weapon of war, but as a symbol of unity and cultural rebirth. Its return became the centrepiece of National Day celebrations, reminding every Ivorian that true independence begins with knowing one's history and taking pride in one's heritage.
On Friday, as part of the celebration of the 66th anniversary of Côte d'Ivoire's independence, Djidji Ayokwe, the sacred "talking drum" of the Attie people, was presented to the public. The monumental drum, a symbol of Attie resistance, was confiscated by French colonial authorities in 1916 and returned to its homeland early this year. After its return, it was presented to the public for the first time in a glass case on a floating platform, taking centre stage in the National Day festivities, before being transported to Adjamé, the ancestral land of the Attie people, where it was handed over to traditional chiefs and their villages.
The presentation ceremony was led by Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of Culture and Francophonie, Françoise Remarck. "Djidji Ayokwe is a national treasure, because beyond its origins and the fact that it comes from the Bidjan people, it embodies the universal values of social cohesion, unity and solidarity – and that is precisely what we are also celebrating on the 66th anniversary of our independence.
We had the opportunity to present it on its native soil, the lands of Adjamé, through a traditional ceremony that will now allow it to join the Museum of Civilisations," she said. Soumahoro Farikou, the mayor of Adjamé, said the drum's return carries profound meaning. "Its return to us reminds us of a crucial truth: the development of a nation is impossible without preserving its memory and enhancing its heritage. May this stopover be a moment of unity between generations, a celebration of our shared identity and a call to pass on the riches of our history to the youngest," he said.
After the presentation, the Djidji Ayokwe sculpture will be placed in Côte d'Ivoire's Museum of Civilisations, where it is expected to attract more visitors, increase museum revenues, strengthen international cultural cooperation and serve as an educational tool for present and future generations.
The return of Djidji Ayokwe is the result of years of negotiations between Côte d'Ivoire and France, which intensified amid the global movement for the restitution of African cultural treasures looted during the colonial era. The drum was not just a musical instrument – it served as a means of communication between chiefs and villages, conveying messages over long distances, and was considered a sacred object embodying the spirit of the Attie people. Its confiscation in 1916 was seen as an act of symbolic enslavement, and its return has become an important milestone in the process of decolonising consciousness.
According to Côte d'Ivoire's Ministry of Culture, the restitution of cultural objects is a priority of state policy, and Djidji Ayokwe will be a key exhibit at the new Museum of Civilisations, which is set to open in the coming years. The museum is expected to become not only a tourist attraction but also a centre for educational programmes aimed at preserving and promoting the country's cultural diversity.
As CCTV+ reports, the return of Djidji Ayokwe has become vivid evidence that cultural memory can overcome centuries and borders, and every repatriated treasure is not just an artefact but a step towards healing historical wounds and restoring justice.
