France has returned a sacred talking drum to Côte d'Ivoire that was confiscated by French colonial authorities more than a century ago, marking one of the most significant cultural restitutions to a former French colony in recent years.

The Djidji Ayôkwé, a talking drum seized in 1916 by French administrators, arrived at Port Bouët airport outside Abidjan, the economic capital of Côte d'Ivoire, at 8:45 AM on Friday. The artifact had been handed over to Ivorian officials in Paris earlier this month after being removed from the Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac Museum.

The return of the drum represents part of a broader process of returning cultural artifacts to African countries that began in 2017. This initiative reflects growing international pressure on former colonial powers to address the legacy of cultural appropriation during the colonial era.

Talking drums hold deep spiritual and cultural significance in West African societies, serving not only as musical instruments but as means of communication and connection to ancestral traditions. The Djidji Ayôkwé had been held in French museums for over a century following its confiscation during the colonial period.

The restitution comes as museums and governments worldwide increasingly grapple with questions about the rightful ownership of cultural artifacts acquired during periods of colonial rule. France has been among the European nations taking steps to address these historical injustices through formal repatriation programs.