Traditional Ivoirian Ceremonies - Anansi Travel

Click on the underlined linked names to view photographs of the following Ceremonies.

Abissa is an annual Nzima ceremony held on the island of Grand Bassam, Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa. It is on the last Sunday of October through the first Sunday of November marking the beginning of the New Year. The public can participate in the popular dance, but the other part of the ceremony is reserved for the natives, a kind of popular trial during which the society leaders are criticized. It is a time of forgiveness and new beginnings.
Held on the first Saturday in December each year, this ceremony celebrates the harvest in Grand Akoudzin, a village located two hours north of Abidjan. Historical methods of harvest are revisited during the competition between local family groups via dramatic presentations. It is a one day festival.
Held in the villages of Dabou, Sub-prefecture south, in January and February.
Held in Béoua (Sub-prefecture of Guiglo) in the west of Côte d'Ivoire during March and April. More than fifty masks from the west of the country can be seen on this occasion.
Popo is held in Bonoua (Southeast) in March and April. This annual manifestation lasts a week during which one can see the Abouré traditional clothing, ceremonies, dances, beauty competition of men and women, and many other ethnic group manifestations.
Dipri is held in Yaobou (Sub-prefecture of Sikensi) in southern Côte d'Ivoire in April. The ceremony consists of mystical powers demonstrations. One can see people lay eggs, hurt themselves with knives and make the wounds disappear. It is a ceremony unsuitable for children and sensitive souls.
This ceremony is held every Easter Monday in Grand-Bassam (Moosou-Begnini). It is the annual Abouré of Moosou-Begnini ceremony during which one can see a procession of the generations, dugout canoe races, traditiional dances and witchcraft demonstrations.
This annual Abouré ceremony is held every Whit Monday in Grand-Bassam (Moosou-Koumassi). It is similar to the one of Moosou-Begnini with similar manifestations.
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