# Ivory Coast’s talking drum looted by France returns home 2026-08-07T22:41:53+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The Djidji Ayokwe, a sacred talking drum looted by French colonial troops in 1916, returned to its home village in Ivory Coast on Friday, the country's independence day. It was the first time most Ivorians had seen the drum. The 430-kg drum was used by the Ebrie tribe to transmit messages. It was officially handed over in February and arrived in Ivory Coast in March but remained crated. Ivory Coast had requested the return of 148 artworks in 2018. France passed a law in May to allow returns of looted artefacts. The drum will go on display at the Museum of Civilisations in Abidjan. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com Tags: colonialism, Cultural heritage, France, Ivory Coast, repatriation, talking drum Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/ivory-coasts-talking-drum-looted-by-france-returns-home/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/ivory-coasts-talking-drum-looted-by-france-returns-home/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.