France hands back stolen colonial-era artifact to West African country

The Djidji Ayokwe, or ‘talking’ drum, has been returned to Ivory Coast after being looted nearly a century ago

France has returned the Djidji Ayokwe, a sacred “talking” drum taken under French rule, to Ivory Coast, UNESCO said on Sunday, stressing that the repatriation of the artifact advances efforts to restore African heritage stolen by colonial powers.

The musical instrument, central to the cultural and artistic traditions of the Ebrie people...