Welcome to Min-On’s Music Journey! Today, the Min-On Concert Association and the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire in Japan welcome you to the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, located on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa.
One of West Africa’s leading economic powerhouses
Cote d’Ivoire’s economy has been growing at about 7–9% annually since 2012, and the country is a major production center of cocoa and coffee. In addition to agribusiness, the country also has a thriving resource export industry, which has become a driving force in West African development.
The hero of a great football nation that stopped a civil war
When you hear the words “Côte d’Ivoire” and “football,” the name Didier Drogba, a world-class football player who also played for Chelsea in the English Premier League, may come to mind. In 2005, when Cote d’Ivoire’s national team qualified for the World Cup for the first time, it was in the midst of a prolonged civil war due to a division between the north and south.
“The one country in Africa with so many riches must not descend into war like this. Please, lay down all weapons. Hold elections, organize elections. Then, all will be better,” Drogba urged during a post-match interview after qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in the nation’s history. That year, elections were held in Côte d’Ivoire, and the year after the World Cup, the government and rebels signed a peace agreement that successfully ended the civil war.
Today, we will travel through the vibrant nation of Cote d’Ivoire and experience its music from south to north on a three-day itinerary.
| Travel guide for Cote d’Ivoire (3-day trip from Abidjan to Korhogo)
• Day 1 (southern region): Enjoy the metropolis of Abidjan and beautiful beach scenery |
Southern region: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire’s largest city
Abidjan, located in the southeast part of the country, is the gateway to Côte d’Ivoire where international flights arrive and depart. An economic and cultural hub with major impact on the entire West African region, it’s sometimes referred to as the Manhattan of Africa.
Abidjan is renowned for beautiful buildings including the St. Paul’s Cathedral with colorful African design and the Grand Mosque with its gentle blue dome. Both buildings symbolize the coexistence of diverse ethnic groups and religions in Côte d’Ivoire.
Zouglou music
This rhythmic musical genre originated in the 1980s and gained popularity mainly among young people. Zouglou is believed to have originated in the southern city of Gagnoa, and later developed in Yopougon, a suburb of Abidjan.
Zouglou lyrics contain messages of love, friendship, justice and social commentary. Alongside lively percussion rhythms, it quickly captured the hearts and minds of young people. “Magic System,” a group of four artists, is famous for spreading Zouglou around the world, and in 2012 the group’s leader, Asalfo, was named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
Magic System – Magic In The Air Feat. Chawki
After visiting Abidjan, our journey continues to the port town of Grand-Bassam, located about 40 kilometers to the east. Following a visit to the “Historic Town of Grand-Bassam,” a World Cultural Heritage Site, we recommend enjoying delicious local seafood dishes.
The southern region of Cote d’Ivoire is dotted with beautiful beaches that attract tourists from all over the world. On our first night here, enjoy a relaxing stay at the beach resort of Assinie, located 80 km east of Abidjan.
Central region: The capital of Yamoussoukro
After traveling about 240 km northwest from Abidjan, we reach the capital city of Yamoussoukro. This is the political center of the country, which was relocated from Abidjan in 1983. The city is also famous for the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, the largest Catholic church in the world built in the 1980s.
Despite being the capital, Yamoussoukro is not as crowded as Abidjan, and offers a peaceful and relaxing experience. As you unwind and feel the passage of time, try the traditional dish Garba, which consists of attiéké (a rice-like staple made of cassava) and fried fish, and you will feel completely refreshed from your journey.
Northern region: Korhogo, home to the Senufo people
Heading north from Yamoussoukro, the surrounding landscape changes from rainforest to savanna. Continuing north for about 350 km, we reach Korhogo, the central city of the northern region. Korhogo is also the capital city of the Senufo people, who have an outstanding artistic culture. Among their specialty artisanship is the Korhogo cloth, a product of representative Cote d’Ivoire decorated with creative motifs.
| Intangible cultural heritage: Side-blown trumpet music of the Tagbana Community (Gbofe)
“Gbofe” is a term used to refer to the musical style played in Afounkaha, inhabited by the Tagbana community, who belong to the Senufo people, or to the transverse horn instruments used in this style of music. Through horns measuring 50–70 cm in length, the words of the Tagbana language are expressed in a variety of sounds. Often played in traditional ceremonies, the music combines horns, songs, drum rhythm and dance, expressing messages of praise, love, lamentation and morality. |
The Gbofe of Afounkaha – The Music of the Transverse Trumps of the Tagbana Community
There are many other highlights worth experiencing in northern Cote d’Ivoire. For example, the Sudanese style mosques here, registered as a World Heritage Site, offer a rare blend of the Sudanese style that was popular in the Mali Empire, which once ruled the region, alongside other traditional Islamic architecture.
In 2018, Min-On invited Kassou-Tri, an artistic group from Côte d’Ivoire, to present a total of 12 performances. Please enjoy a highlight of their performances, featuring the fusion of many traditional instruments and folk dances.
Lastly, please enjoy some performances by other musicians recommended by the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire in Japan.
- Josey – Amazones & Combattants
- YODE & SIRO – COCO
- Bailly Spinto – ”Monouho” en live sur NCI
- Oswald Kouamé
What did you think of your music journey to Cote d’Ivoire ? There are still many more places to go! Please look forward to our next destination.
(Produced in collaboration with the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire in Japan, who also provided photos.)
Min-On Concert Association
－Music Binds Our Hearts－
