Côte d'Ivoire Events and Festivals
Each November in Man (a region of the Ivory Coast) the Fêtes des Masques (Festival of Masks) is celebrated. This is one of the Ivory Coast.s most well known festivals. During this festival, many local villages conduct contests to see who the best dancer in their village is, as well as to acknowledge the forest spirits represented by elaborate masks.
Ramadan, the main Muslim holiday, usually occurs near December. It is a month when the people fast from sunrise to sunset in accordance with the fourth pillar of Islam. Eid al-Fitr is the great feast that ends Ramadan. During this feast, people also pray and exchange presents.
Also in December is the National Holiday of the Ivory Coast. Although the Ivory Coast actually became fully independent on August 7, 1960, their Independence Day is actually celebrated on December 7th.
In March there is the Bouaké Carnival which is a week long festival. The Carnival attracts thousands of visitors each year.
During April there is the Fête du Dipri in Gomon, which is located near Abidjan. This is one of the traditional religious festivals in the Ivory Coast, and it commences at midnight. Naked, the women and children of the villages leave there huts and conduct rituals that eliminate the evil spirits from their village. Then, once the sun rises, the chief emerges, drums are played, and the villagers are put into a trance. This will continue late into the afternoon of the following day.
~RZ