France passes law to allow return of Ivorian drum stolen by colonial troops

A ceremony in November 2022 at the Quai Branly Museum, ahead of the planned return of the Djidji Ayôkwé which was subsequently delayed. © Pierre Firtion/RFI

French MPs have unanimously adopted legislation allowing Paris to return to Cote d'Ivoire the Djidji Ayôkwé talking drum, which colonial troops seized from the Ebrié tribe in 1916.

The Djidji Ayokwe "talking drum" is one of tens of thousands of artworks and other prized artefacts looted by France during the reign of its colonial empire, from the 16th century to the first half of the 20th century.