Senate Launches Process to Retrieve "Talking Drum" Said to Belong to Côte d'Ivoire
Rewritten Article:
Gear up for the "Djidji Ayokwe" talking drum's epic comeback – Côte d'Ivoire is all set to reclaim this treasured artifact seized during French colonialism!
In an exciting turn of events, France has pledged to give back the 3.5-meter-tall and 430-kg cultural marvel, known as the Djidji Ayokwe drum, to its rightful owners, Côte d'Ivoire. Recently, the Senate proposed legislation implementing this promise made by President Macron in 2021.
The June 2022 vote demonstrates a collective resolve to fulfill the aspirations of both the Atchan community and the wider Ivorian nation – an effort celebrated by all 301 senators.
The drum, a revered artifact of the Ébrié people, was plundered during French colonial times and taken to Paris. Now, decades later, the drum will soon find its way back home. Back in Abidjan, modern-day museums, such as the Museum of Civilizations of Côte d'Ivoire, are more than ready to showcase this cultural gem, which has played a vital role in Ebrie communication, war-mongering, and religious ceremonies.
Côte d'Ivoire initially demanded the drum's return in 2019, following the drum's desanctification ceremony held in 2022 at the Musée du Quai Branly. As stipulated by the principle of public collections inalienability, an exceptional law is required to pave the way for this restitution.
Regrettably, a framework law for the return of other stolen artifacts is still lacking, leaving many disputed treasures in a state of limbo. While France promised to expedite this piece of legislation, progress has been painstakingly slow in the parliament.
Rachida Dati, France's Minister of Culture, insists that restitution discussions should continue while avoiding potentially contentious colonial debates. In late 2021, France returned 26 Beninese artifacts, setting a significant precedent for restitution efforts.
The process for the Djidji Ayokwe's return started in 2017, when President Macron pledged to return African artifacts coming from colonial-era looting. As regional restitution initiatives gain momentum, it's evident that the Djidji Ayokwe's return is much more than just a simple cultural exchange. It's a symbolic gesture setting a powerful example of healing and rebuilding relationships damaged by colonialism.
Despite structural challenges in preserving cultural artifacts, modern museums in Côte d'Ivoire are committed to providing the necessary protection to ensure the Djidji Ayokwe's survival. Beyond the immediate challenges, the drum's return has sparked a wave of restitution claims across Africa, hoping to recover other lost treasures taken during colonialism.
On a broader scale, this narrative of restitution is echoed in global discussions, with other countries starting to take note. 2022 saw Germany return some of the infamous Benin Bronzes to Nigeria, a positive development that could influence other former colonizers to make similar concessions in the future.
Stay tuned to find out more about the Djidji Ayokwe's return, as well as the status of other controversial artifacts meriting repatriation.
- The Djidji Ayokwe drum, set for its return to Côte d'Ivoire from France, is an artifact of immense importance to the Ébrié people, significant in their communication, war-mongering, and religious ceremonies.
- The policy-and-legislation surrounding the desanctification and restitution of the Djidji Ayokwe drum has been steered by the French Senate, with a majority vote in June 2022 confirming the collective resolve to fulfill the promise made by President Macron in 2021.
- Modern museums in Côte d'Ivoire are eager to display the previously plundered drum, particularly the Museum of Civilizations of Côte d'Ivoire, as part of the general news narrative that heralds the comeback of this cultural marvel.
- The return of the Djidji Ayokwe drum to its rightful owners in 2022 is a powerful symbol in the realm of politics and the broader discourse on policy-and-legislation related to the desanctification and restitution of other African artifacts stolen during colonialism.
