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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
National
RFI

France hands stolen colonial-era 'talking drum' back to Côte d'Ivoire

vorian Minister of Culture and Francophonie, Françoise Remarck (C-L) and France's Culture Minister Rachida Dati (C-R) at the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris on 20 February, 2026. AFP - BERTRAND GUAY

France has handed over the Djidji Ayokwe or "talking drum" back to Côte d'Ivoire after it was looted by colonial troops in 1916. Used by the Ebrie tribe to transmit messages, the drum is one of hundreds of objects France is preparing to repatriate to Africa.

France on Friday handed over a "talking drum" looted by colonial troops from Côte d'Ivoire in 1916 in the latest repatriation of stolen artefacts.

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