The process of restoring the talking drum of the Atchan people continues to move forward. This imposing object of more than 400 kilos allowed the people of the region of Abidjan, in Côte d’Ivoire, to communicate. It was looted by the French in 1916. Before its return, it was restored. And this Tuesday, December 27, it was the collection phase, a crucial step to protect him before his return to the country.
The Djidji Ayôkwé, as he is called, had joined the reserves of the Musée du quai Branly, in Paris. The government undertook last year to return it to Côte d’Ivoire, but first it was cashed at the premises of the Aïnu company in Aubervilliers, near Paris. You should know that cashing is not simply putting an object in a box. The talking drum measures 3.31 meters, weighs almost 430 kilos and represents an inestimable heritage value. A stainless steel base, as well as two large pine boxes, were made to bring it back to Quai Branly, then to Côte d’Ivoire.
Nathalie Richard is the head of the Museum’s conservation-restoration department: ” Cashing in is the final stage of protection, it is the moment when the object is placed in a crate which has been previously designed and the object is wedged in such a way that it cannot move. in his crate. The boxes are designed in such a way that they are isothermal, that is to say that they do not suffer the impact of climate change, because the materials are sensitive to it. We block the object in the crate and put it in a second external crate. We therefore have a double collection for maximum protection. »
For Nathalie Richard, it’s a rigorous process because the materials must be able to withstand different weights, tensions and manipulations: ” The object and its base are very heavy and reach a weight of around 700-800 kilos, so the box must be designed in such a way that it can be carried and handled while resisting these pressures. It’s super close protection and it’s tailor-made. »
Protect the talking drum from multiple shocks before its final return
Despite its size, the Djidji Ayôkwé remains made of wood, and its fragility exposes it to multiple dangers. Special paper, foams and gaskets have been added. Nothing should be left to chance. The drum must be physically protected from impacts but also have thermal protection, since wood is sensitive to temperature variations and humidity, recalls Nathalie Richard.
The collection took four hours in total. The now protected drum was brought back to the Quai Branly reserves. We just have to wait for the vote of a law which will allow, in the long term, his definitive return to Côte d’Ivoire.
►To listen also: France: desacralization of the “talking drum” before its return to Côte d’Ivoire