Museum cooperation in Côte d’Ivoire

Assisting the return of the Djidji Ayokwe drum in Côte d’Ivoire

In his speech of 28 November 2017 in Ouagadougou, French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to work towards a return of African artefacts to the countries of origin. This includes the Atchan Djidji Ayokwe drum. This is the context of the Museum Cooperation in Côte d’Ivoire project, financed by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and designed in conjunction with the Ivorian Ministry of Culture and Francophonie, which is financing complementary activities.

Expertise France has been given a 24-month mandate to act as operator for this project. One of its objectives is to support the rehabilitation of the Museum of Civilisations of Côte d’Ivoire (MCCI), this prestigious African heritage site with a rich museum collection comprising more than 15,200 objects. The project manager is based at the MCCI to maintain the strong partnership dynamic of this project.

Supporting the rehabilitation of the Museum of Civilisations of Côte d’Ivoire

Studies, technical assessments and rehabilitation of the Museum of Civilisations of Côte d’Ivoire

The project provides for a technical assessment and rehabilitation of the central building of the museum, which will house the future permanent exhibition and the Djidji Ayokwe drum.

3D digitisation

One of the lines of action is to enhance the museum’s equipment and train personnel in 3D digitisation techniques to secure the reserves, facilitate scientific research, and develop an ambitious cultural mediation policy.

Developing stories and international symposium  

Expertise France is coordinating scientific work on developing stories in conjunction with a scientific commission. The objective is to trace the history of the drum and observe the effect of its return on the community of origin. An international symposium will be organised to promote this work and initiate discussions on African museum policies.

Scenography

In line with the activities for the revitalisation of the museum and return of the drum, the agency is assisting with the design and production of a scenography specially created to receive this artefact and showcase the future permanent exhibition.

Mediation

The Museum of Civilisations will be equipped with a digital system to offer an audio tour designed in conjunction with the Parc de La Villette in Paris. This project called “Micro-Folie”, launched by the French Ministry of Culture, is the result of cooperation between 12 French cultural institutions and the network of the Institut Français and Alliance Française. The first African collection will also be on show there, together with a documentary film project on the drum.