France Returns Colonial-Era 'Talking Drum' to Ivory Coast

Return of the Talking Drum

• 🥁 A "talking drum", seized by France over a century ago, is set to return to Ivory Coast after the French Parliament approved its repatriation.
• 📌 The drum, originally from the Ebrie tribe, was taken by colonial troops in 1916 and sent to France in 1929, where it was exhibited in museums.
• ⚠️ The instrument, measuring over 3 meters long and weighing 430 kg, has been affected by insects, weakening its structure, but was repaired in 2022.

Historical Context and Repatriation Efforts

• 💬 The "talking drum" was used to transmit messages over long distances, up to 30 kilometers, serving as a communication tool for neighboring villages.
• 🌍 Ivory Coast officially requested the drum's return over six years ago, in 2017.
• 🤝 This repatriation is seen as an acknowledgement of colonial violence, looting, and cultural erasure, aligning with President Macron's pledge to foster a new relationship with Africa.
• ⏳ Despite the pledge, the repatriation of colonial spoils has been slow, with France still holding tens of thousands of objects from sub-Saharan Africa in its public museums.