A sacred drum that once served as a powerful communication tool for communities in Ivory Coast has returned home more than a century after it was seized during French colonial rule. Known as the Djidji Ayokwe, the massive wooden instrument was taken by French authorities in 1916 and later transported to France, where it remained in museum collections for decades. Its recent return marks a significant moment for cultural restitution and historical justice. For the Ebrie people, the drum is far more than an artefact. It represents a living symbol of identity, tradition and authority, once capable of sending messages across entire communities through sound alone.
