It had not resounded in its country of origin for almost a century: an Ivorian drum seized by France during colonization is about to be returned to Côte d'Ivoire, a new stage in a policy restitution of works initiated in 2017 by President Macron.
"
This object has great value
", its return "
will do good to the descendants (...) it is a strong action that speaks to the communities
", rejoiced with AFP a spokesperson for the ministry. Ivorian of Culture.
Confiscated in 1916 by the French army from the Ébrié community and kept in recent years at the Quai Branly museum in Paris, the Ivorian drum Djidji Ayokwe must be returned to the Museum of Civilizations of Côte d'Ivoire in 2023. This traditional object, claimed from long-standing by Abidjan, constitutes a central piece of the musical art of the Ébriés, an ethnic group from Côte d'Ivoire.
Read alsoThe return of the Ébrié talking drum hailed by the traditional leaders of Côte d'Ivoire
Nicknamed "
talking drum
", measuring three meters long and weighing 430 kg, this wooden instrument with symbolic and mystical properties was used in particular to warn of dangers, mobilize for war or summon villages to ceremonies or festivals.
It is the first of a list of 148 works which Côte d'Ivoire officially requested at the end of 2018 to be returned to France.
To ensure the return of the drum to its country in good condition, restoration work had to be undertaken by the Quai Branly museum.
Between 1916 and 1930, the year he was sent to France, "
he had spent almost fifteen years outdoors in the house of the French governor in Côte d'Ivoire - Marc Simon - so he was subjected to the weather, subjected to the proximity of insects xylophages that have settled
,” explains Nathalie Richard, director of the conservation department at the Musée du Quai Branly.
The base of the drum is the last step before the departure of the object.
“
It's a device that will allow you to present it, handle it and transport it.
These aspects, whether it be the restoration or the decision to make a base, were proposed by the Quai Branly museum to the Ivorian officials who themselves discussed them again with the chiefs of the villages concerned by this drum
, "adds- her, indicating that "
all of this was decided in consultation
".
The arrival of Djidji Ayokwe at the Museum of Civilizations in Abidjan can only be recorded after the vote in the French Parliament of a law allowing his official return, like the restitution of historical pieces in Benin approved by parliamentarians. in December 2020.
The restitution of works of art looted from Africa are one of the highlights of the "
new relationship
" that French President Emmanuel Macron has decided to establish with the continent since his first five-year term.
In November 2017, Emmanuel Macron undertook in particular to make possible within five years the temporary or permanent restitution of African heritage in France.
France has since returned to Benin 26 works from the royal treasures of Abomey (south), looted in 1892 by French colonial troops.
UNESCO, which plays a facilitating role in restitution processes, has noted an increase in bilateral agreements in recent years.
Sunna Altnoder, head of the movable heritage and museums unit at Unesco, cites in particular the bilateral agreement between France and Côte d'Ivoire "
which is taking shape
", that between France and Benin in 2021 or the agreement between the United States and Iraq which allowed the return to Iraq in 2021 of 17,000 objects looted decades ago, “
including the famous Gilgamesh tablet
”.
On December 20, Germany also returned to Nigeria 22 bronzes from the former kingdom of Benin.
“, she welcomes.
According to experts, 85 to 90% of African heritage is outside the continent.
Since 2019, in addition to Benin and Côte d'Ivoire, five other countries - Senegal, Ethiopia, Chad, Mali, Madagascar - have submitted refund requests to France.
Other possible restitutions remain thorny, as evidenced by the tensions between London and Athens over friezes from the Parthenon on display at the British Museum.