INTRODUCTION

The culture of the Ivory Coast is layered and colorful thanks to the nation’s geographical location, collection of ethnic groups, and years under French occupation. They have an excess of 60 different indigenous tribes and even more sub-clusters, all with their own distinct identities and traditions. There are four main regions, namely the East Atlantic (Akan), the West Atlantic (Kru), and the Mandé and Voltaic groups. These cultural regions primarily differ in terms of language, economic activity, environment, and traditions. Today, the sixty distinct ethnic groups that make up the Côte d'Ivoire are loosely grouped into four main cultural regions, which are differentiated in terms of environment, economic activity, language, and overall cultural characteristics. Most representatives of southeast cultures are Akan peoples, descendants of eighteenth-century migrants from the kingdom of Asante. The largest Akan populations in Côte d'Ivoire are the farming communities of the Baoule and the Agni. Smaller groups live in the southeastern lagoon region, where contact and intermarriage between the Akan and other groups have resulted in a multicultural lifestyle. Dependent on fishing and farming for their livelihood, they are not organized into centralized polities above the village level. The southwest Kru peoples are probably the oldest of Côte d'Ivoire's present-day ethnic groups, the largest tribe of which is the Bete. Traditional Kru societies were organized into villages that relied on hunting and gathering for sustenance, and they rarely formed centralized chiefdoms. In the north, descendants of early Mande conquerors occupy territory in the northwest, stretching into northern Guinea and Mali. The Mande peoples are comprised primarily of the Malinke, Bambara, and Juula. To the east of the Mande are Voltaic peoples. The most numerous of these, the Senufo, migrated to their present location from the northwest in the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries.

EBRIE PEOPLE: THE FAMOUS COTE D`IVOIRE AKAN SUB-TRIBE THAT FOUNDED THE CITY OF ABIDJAN

HISTORY

Amidst the settling of these unique cultures, the peoples of Côte d'Ivoire have been influenced by the French. The Ivory Coast became an autonomous republic in the French Union after World War II, and achieved independence on 7 August 1960. As Côte d'Ivoire has emerged as a nation—amidst colonization, exploitation, native revolts against the French, the prominence of French culture, and finally independence—its people have lived in ethnic diversity, strong economic prosperity, and a cultural mosaic. Only in the latter part of the twentieth century did several decades of political tensions culminate with the country's first coup d'etat.

Since its independence from France in the 1960s, the Ivory Coast enjoyed economic growth. However, things have recently taken a turn for the worse because of a military coup that started in December 1999. This was the first-ever risk to the security of the country and led to the government being overthrown. Junta chief Robert Guei proclaimed himself the new head of state after the rigged elections, but widespread protest forced him to step aside and give Laurent Gbagbo the seat.

In the Ivory Coast, the game-changing armed rebellion of 2002 triggered a major split as rebel forces claimed the northern half of the country. By the end of 2003, a ceasefire deal was implemented following a three-month stalemate between the government and the rebels. French is the official language used throughout the country, however, there are over sixty native languages. Four of the major branches of the Niger-Congo language are spoken among Ivoirians, including the Kwa, Atlantic, Mande, and Voltaic. Language areas correspond closely to the four cultural regions of the nation. Agni and Baoule, both Kwa languages, are the most widely spoken languages in the south. In the north, variants of Mande and Senofu are the most widely spoken but are also heard in almost all southern trading areas. No single African language is spoken by a majority of the population, and most Ivoirians speak two or more languages fluently. French is used in schools and business and is spoken more frequently by men than by women. Arabic is taught in Quranic schools, which are most common in the north, and is spoken by immigrants from Lebanon and Syria. Many Ivoirians understand English, which is taught in high school and the National University of Côte d'Ivoire, but English is not a language of choice, even among the educated. Almost half the adult population is literate.

CULTURE

With over 60 indigenous ethnic groups, each with their unique traditions, the diversity of culture in Ivory Coast is truly remarkable. Music, art, festivals, and languages are distinct in different regions of the world. Ivorian cuisine is influenced by neighboring West African nations and tubers and grains are used in most dishes. With the common side dish of attiéké, or grated cassava, food is often served. Maquis is a type of braised chicken or fish that is smothered with tomatoes and onions and is sometimes served with a side of attiéké or kedjenou, a chicken with a mild sauce and vegetables.

 The common side dish of attiéké.

Music is also a big part of life in the Ivory Coast, and while each of the country’s ethnic groups has its take on traditions, some rhythms and melodies are universal. Music is used in all kinds of celebrations, as well as in times of grief. Different instruments including the talking drum, kpalogo, djembe, shekere, cleavers, and akombe are used to express various emotions. These are handcrafted from indigenous materials like animal skins, gourds, and horns.

The most iconic Ivoirian art is the mask. The intricacy and variety of designs are truly impressive as these cultural symbols serve many purposes. They represent lesser deities, higher spirits, and even the souls of the deceased. Ivoirians also produce ceremonial masks, each representing an entity. Woodcarvings, fabrics, and pottery are also popular art forms.

Due to their ethnic diversity, Ivoirians adhere to different kinds of religions and beliefs. About 34 percent of the population is Christian, while 27 percent is Muslim. The remaining minorities have stories and legends passed down by earlier generations and their ancestors.

Renowned international football player Didier Drogba is a product of Cote d’ivoire

Many sports are practiced in the country. Various possibilities for golf practice exist with the golf courses of Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, and San-Pédro which offer four courses from 9 to 18 holes. Each year an international open endowed with the Félix Houphouët-Boigny prize is organized and registers well-known participants.

The lagoon bodies of water and the sea also offer real sporting possibilities, including sport fishing, diving, and spearfishing, surfing, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, or even beach- volley. Horse riding, as well as mechanical sports ( Bandama rally, motocross), are also practiced in the country. Handball, basketball, volleyball, rugby, athletics, and tennis are among the sports disciplines also practiced in Côte d'Ivoire.

However, football remains the king sport in Côte d'Ivoire. It attracts large crowds and unleashes passions. This popular sport even in the deepest parts of the country is widely practiced. Each city and even each neighborhood organizes its Maracana tournaments (It should be noted in passing that Côte d'Ivoire has a national Maracana team which was champion at the African Cup of Nations in Maracana in 2012 and 2013). The Ivorian Football Federation organizes and supervises the discipline dominated at the national level by the teams of Africa Sports National and ASEC Mimosasin time. But for two years, Séwé Sports de San Pédro has reigned over the national championship. Many footballers play outside the country in prestigious sports training. They are for the most part selected for the national team - the Elephants - during international sports competitions. Formerly led by players like Ben Badi, Gadji Celi, and Alain Gouaméné, the Elephants are also very successful with the generation Didier Drogba who was notably the first to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2006.