Location
Abidjan
France Returns Sacred Drum to Ivory Coast, Completing Restitution Process
France has returned the Djidji Ayôkwé, a sacred talking drum looted during colonial rule, to Ivory Coast in a ceremony at Port Bouët airport near Abidjan on March 13, 2026. The restitution fulfills a 2021 promise by French President Emmanuel Macron after four years of discussions and parliamentary approval.