Now Reading: Ivory Coast’s talking drum looted by France returns home
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Ivory Coast’s talking drum looted by France returns home
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…
The Story in Brief
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.
The Indian Opinion
The return of the Djidji Ayokwe is a powerful symbol, but it remains just one of 148 works Ivory Coast requested. France's new law is welcome but the pace of restitution is glacial. For India, which also seeks the return of artefacts from colonial times, this story serves as a reminder that many claims remain unresolved. The real test will be whether France accelerates returns or this remains a one-off gesture. How many more will actually come home?
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
