PRESENTATION OF THE WEST COUNTRY (COTE DIVOIRE)

INTRODUCTION

III-

GENERAL OVERVIEW CULTURE & TRADITIONS

CONCLUSION

PROF: Mr Moubtassime Sa Oula Subject: CULTURAL TOURIM & DEVELOPEMENT

Presented By :

Academic Year: 2010-2011

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PRESENTATION OF THE WEST COUNTRY (COTE DIVOIRE)

INTRODUCTION

The West Country is one of the 19 regions of Cte d'Ivoire. The region has the most interesting tourist sites in Cte dIvoire. The region's capital is Man, the city is located in a ring of mountains well known as the 18 Mountains (the city of 18 hills). The mere mention of this city is enough for experts to discuss the Ivorian tourism. Indeed, long time this region was the flagship Ivorian tourism. Simply, because it represents a distillation of the wealth of tourism. The dance, foods and mysteries, natural beauty are as much reason to visit the region. I- GENERAL OVERVIEW

By the geographical position, Cte dIvoire is a synthesis of forest and savannah, with an ethnic diversity that is reflected through a variety of folklore, crafts and religion. The availability of items of value on the Ivorian territory, offers a range of diversity and complementary circuits, which are the multitudes aspects of Ivorian cultural mosaic. The West, in the mild mountain climate, the country of Yacouba or Dan. Man, the city of 18 mountains lays in lush greenery and waterfalls, with fabulous bridges of lianas whose implementation is still unexplained and the famous natural tooth of Man. There are the fascinating sects of Gor with its great initiates who have the power to make themselves invisible or change into leopards; masked men twirl on huge stilts. The girls trimmed with cowrie shells that soar gracefully over daggers hung by dancers. Woven cloths, baskets, wood carvings, masks, Dan, for collectors, are the main handicrafts of the country of Dan.

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II- CULTURE & TRADITIONS

Man has a variety of traditions, like the Gor, dancing on stilts and that of the dagger. The output of masks, the wrestling and race masks, initiation Panthers men, the feast of yams, the festival of trees, the circumcision ceremonies young people are very exciting part of a cultural heritage property supplied. In terms of cultural heritage, the Mountain Region has preserved its soul and its traditional values. Several events perpetuate periodic rituals, games and masks associated with particular religions. The main cultural events in the region are: *The Yadel (festival of Yams with the Toura and Yacouba. It begins with an exhibition of masks. It marks an opportunity to eat the new yam (Yapou). This festival is marked by dances, rituals and music), and runs to Doul, Gutemba (Man) in the period of February to March. *Boyago: Festival (cultural reconciliation of the peoples W and Dan. They are characterized by rituals, dances and meetings). It takes place in Kouibly (Man). *The Guehebia: Festival (festival of masks in society Dan, Mahou and W. It is a time of reunion between the sons of the region. It is characterized by a kind of masks exit, dance and popular festivities). It takes place in Man. *The Gba: (parties held usually after the rice harvest and dry season or during the funeral of a former wrestler. They are characterized by traditional wrestling and mask race). They take place in Man, Bangolo and Kouibly. *The Feast of Masks Logoual *The Dance of Temati Facobly * Adoration of the river Nzo: it takes place in January Danan *The Sword Dance (Danan) *Dance of the circumcised, it takes place in July in Bangolo *Race and the dance of waders (big masks): Biankouma takes place in March *The stones monkeys (Kleugoual) Gbta As West attractions, we have the bridges of lianas build purely mystical way, is said to be the work of geniuses and the most beautiful are in Danane, precisely Dongouineu and Lieupleu. The city of Gbpleu full of beautiful waterfalls. The blacksmiths of the village of Yo, the sacred fishes of Silakoro and Mount Zala are other curiosities. Gouan we discover the famous cheese tree with 20 meters of diameter. It is also an area particularly renowned for the richness and variety of dances, the best known are: the acrobatic dance on stilts and that of "Temati" or the dance of knives that mimics the cycle of rice plants and represented by young girls.

CONCLUSION
Following what we have seen, the region of the 18 Mountains has an important and huge range of scenic spots. Nature perfumes, mysteries are the ingredients of all the glamor and charm of this area. The 18 mountains region is one of the most beautiful regions of Cote dIvoire and is one of the major tourist attractions of the Country. The war of 10 years has affected sorely this region. Despite of this, the region has still resources and fabulous potentials to develop

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even worldwide. However the 18 mountains region still needs support to enhance the tourism so that locals may benefit as the tourists. .

A bridge of lianas-Made mystically

Waterfalls

The tooth of Man

An artisanal work CULTURAL TOURIM & DEVELOPEMENT Sa Oula

2

A scene of Soutil

Dance of Knives

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