politics
Sacred Drum Gigi Ayokwe Returned to Ivory Coast After a Century in France
The sacred drum Gigi Ayokwe, confiscated by French colonial authorities in 1916, was returned to Ivory Coast today after more than a century, in one of the most significant restitutions of cultural heritage to former French colonies in recent years.
TL;DR
- The sacred drum Gigi Ayokwe, seized by French colonial authorities in 1916, has been returned to Ivory Coast.
- The return of the drum is considered one of the most significant cultural heritage restitutions to former French colonies.
- The artifact, known as a "talking drum," has deep symbolic meaning and represents a connection to ancestors.
- The drum will be permanently displayed at the Museum of Civilizations of Ivory Coast.
- The return follows a promise made by French President Emmanuel Macron in 2021 and four years of negotiations.
- Talking drums are hourglass-shaped drums that can imitate human speech.