Cote d'Ivoire has a unique and diverse culture influenced by the estimated 60 ethnic groups in the country. There are also traces of French influence in the culture. It is a colorful country, diverse in the way of doing things but united in purpose as a nation. Although they a large number of ethnic groups, they have co-existed amicably for years even with their cultural and religious differences.
Religion
Cote d'Ivoire is a religiously diverse country. Islam is the most dominant religion with an estimated 43% of followers, followed by Christianity, comprising of Catholics, Protestants, and other evangelicals which take up a combined 33.8%. Some are followers of the Harrist faith, an indigenous religion to Côte d’Ivoire. Non-religious people make up about 19.1%, with traditional animist beliefs taking 3.6%, and other smaller religions making up about 0.5%. Islam is mostly represented by Sunni Muslims.
Food and cuisine
Food in West Africa, particularly in Cote d'Ivoire is based on ingredients including rice or cereals, cassava, corn, fish, beef, vegetables, peanuts, and chicken. Some common foods and dishes include:
- Attieke- it is a popular side dish made from grated cassava
- Fufu- is a thick porridge made from cassava flour, and best eaten with soups, and using the hands
- Aitiu- is a paste made from corn and used to prepare corn balls.
- Alloco- is a dish created using ripe bananas fried in oil and spiced with steamed tomatoes and chili. This can be eaten with grilled fish or boiled eggs.
- Kedjenou- this is a dish made from chicken and vegetables that are slowly cooked in a jar called a canary. It helps to tenderize the chicken. Other ingredients include okra, aubergines, and peanuts are also added.
- Bangui- is a locally made palm wine.
- Mafe- is prepared using meat in a peanut sauce.
Music
Music in cote d'Ivoire is quite diverse as well as influenced by the different ethnic groups. Each ethnic group has its music genre. Music has however evolved over the years due to international influences and the unity of the different ethnic groups.
Popular music genres include zouglou, zoblazo, and coupe decale. Notable names that have made it to the international scene include Magic Systeme, Dj Arafat, Serge Beynaude, and Alpha Blondy to mention but a few.
Sport
Cote d'Ivoire has competed at the grandest stages when it comes to sport. There are various sporting codes in cote d'Ivoire, with the most popular being football.
The national team is known as the elephants and haswon the African Cup of Nations in 1992 and 2015.Most notable international players include Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Wilfried Bony, Salomon Kalou, and Gervinho, to mention but a few.
Another sporting code is basketball, where the national team has won gold in 1985 at the African Basketball Championships.Cheik Salah Cisse won an Olympic gold medal in Taekwondo at Rio 2016. Cote d'Ivoire has also competed in Rugby, athletics, and ladies' football.
" Its a place to be" - Martin from Canada
