Ivory Coast Festivals: A Celebration of Music, Dance, and Culture

By Jenna Jolie | Update on: Nov 15, 2024

Welcome to the diverse and colorful world of Ivory Coast festivals! This West African country boasts a rich cultural heritage, and its festivals are a testament to its people's unique and vibrant customs. As a visitor to Ivory Coast, participating in these festivals to explore the country's history, traditions, music, and art while savoring its mouth-watering cuisine is worth trying. Keep reading this article to check out the very best festivals in Ivory Coast to discover, dance, and feel the sounds of drums.

Table of Contents

An Insider’s Guide To The Festivals of Masks in Ivory Coast
Discover the Rich Tradition of the Abissa Festival in Grand Bassam

An Insider’s Guide To The Festivals of Masks in Ivory Coast

The Festival of Masks in Ivory Coast

The Festival of masks in Ivory Coast, also known as the Goli mask dance, is a straightforward and intense celebration that takes dancing as its cardinal point. It is held annually in December and is intended to appease the spirits who are believed to bless, assist, and protect the villagers. The festival of masks was once held in every village, but tribal-fueled violence brought it to a halt. It is now held in Zahibo, where dancers from 10 villages come together.

The Festival of masks in Ivory Coast

The Festival of masks in Ivory Coast

How is the Festival of Masks Ivory Coast Celebrated?

During the performances, two types of masks appear in the village: human face masks called "Kpan" and disk-faced masks called "Kple-Kple". The festival is very theatrical, and the women sing and dance, inviting men to approach them and welcome the masks as if they were their romantic partners. Meanwhile, the Kple-Kple masks are often used during funeral ceremonies. This is believed to have the power to connect people with the world of spirits and influence their lives for better or worse, making them an important part of the festival.

The highlights of these festivals are the masked dances, where skilled performers don elaborate costumes and masks and dance to the rhythms of traditional instruments, accompanied by the beat of drums. The men also participate in the dance, wearing nettings on their legs and dry leaves wrapped around their waists to create the appearance of a skirt. Beyond the cultural significance of the dance, the festival has been commended for its unifying power. It has helped unite communities and foster a shared sense of identity and cultural heritage.

Zaouli masks dance

Zaouli masks are used in Zaouli dance, an enthralling traditional dance performed in the Ivory coast festival of masks by the Guro people in the central of this nation. The Zaouli mask was created in the 1950s and named after a young girl named "Djela Lou Zaouli". Despite its name, it is typically performed exclusively by men, and the tradition is passed down through families. When performing the Zaouli dance, the Guro people consider it a symbol of unity and believe it brings prosperity to their village.

A Zaouli performer undergoes rigorous training, taking an average of seven years to master the dance's intricate moves. The performance demands immense physical stamina, and the dancer engages in a psychological duel with the audience. While maintaining stillness in the upper body, the dancer's legs execute a range of complex movements which must not be repeated during one performance. The spellbinding Zaouli dance has captivated audiences worldwide and was added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017.

Zaouli dance is performed by the Guro people

Zaouli dance is performed by the Guro people

Discover more Traditions And Customs Of Côte d’Ivoire.

Discover the Rich Tradition of the Abissa Festival in Grand Bassam

Moving to Grand-Bassam, a town in the southeastern Ivory Coast, tourists may have a chance to witness the Abissa Festival. It is a significant celebration in the N'zima calendar, marking the renewal and forgiveness period. Abissa Festival lasts 14 days and is devoted to Nyamie, the Akan word for the supreme deity. During the festival, work activities and social events like weddings and funerals are suspended. Dances and ceremonies performed in this festival are led by the percussionists at a frenetic tempo, bringing life to the celebration. This moment of collective catharsis results in the rejuvenation and rebirth of the entire community. An intriguing aspect of the Abissa Festival is that men dress as women and vice versa. At the ritual's end, everyone receives forgiveness for their misdeeds.

These Ivory coast festivals demonstrate the country's determination to preserve and promote its cultural identity for generations to come. If you have a chance to visit Ivory Coast when these festivals occur, this is your fortune. Additionally, you can refer to the top things to do in Ivory Coast for more enjoyable experiences.

Apply for an Ivory Coast visa right away, and be ready for an exciting journey to explore various vibrant festivals in Ivory Coast!

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