It is a unique piece that will be returned by France to Côte d’Ivoire. The speaker drum of the Atchan people, known under the name of Djidji Ayokwe, will be restored after the passage of a specific law, probably not before the end of the year 2022. Silvie Memel Kassi, director of the Musée des civilizations de Côte d’Ivoire, which will host the work, went last week to the Quai Branly Museum in Paris to see it. This 3.31 meter long drum which weighs 430 kilos is in “good condition”, confides Silvie Memel Kassi to RFI even if it is “a little worm-eaten” at its base. What could require a small restoration.
The finding is rather reassuring. More than 100 years after its conception, the Djidji Ayokwe is in ” good condition “. This is the analysis made by Silvie Memel Kassi, director of the Musée des civilizations de Côte d’Ivoire, after her discovery of the work last week at the Musée du quai Branly in Paris. Good news that was not necessarily obvious: some sources had recently suggested that this massive piece – which is not on display to the public – was in a state of fragility.
Nevertheless, this 3.31m long drum which weighs 430 kg appears “ a little wormy »At its base – as can be seen in the photo – because it would not have been preserved in the best conditions when it was seized a century ago by the French colonists. With the item due to be returned to Côte d’Ivoire soon, it is now up to the Ivorian authorities to decide what should be done. The idea of a small catering is on the table even if the project could cause debate in the country.
” If we try to make a restoration, asks Silvie Memel Kassi, Won’t that alter the sound because we know that it’s an object that still emitted a sound that could be heard for miles? People have sculpted it in a specific order so that all the parameters regarding the sound are taken into account. So, that is the question we are going to ask so that communities and scientists can decide “. To deepen the reflection, an expert from the Abidjan museum should visit Paris soon.
A restitution in 2022?
A possible restoration should, however, not affect the return schedule. Because the object will not immediately return to Côte d’Ivoire. As for the works returned to Benin and Senegal, a specific law will have to be passed by the French parliament. Can the text be adopted by the end of the term in May? At first glance, it seems complicated. Due to the presidential campaign, the work of the National Assembly and the Senate will stop from February to June. However, the parliamentary agenda for the coming weeks is already full. Not sure anyway that the majority is keen to present in the middle of the presidential campaign a text on the restitution of a work of art, a principle that irritates part of the right and the extreme right.
The hypothesis of a vote of the law during the second half of 2022 therefore seems more likely. Provided of course that the future president and his new majority are in favor of the project. Djidji Ayokwe should therefore not return to Côte d’Ivoire for many months. Unless the French authorities decide to deposit the drum in Abidjan before the law is passed. The scenario is not to be excluded. Paris has already done this with Senegal and more recently with Madagascar. The crown of the dais of Queen Ranavalona III was loaned last year to the Malagasy authorities while the law allowing the transfer of property has still not been voted.