Let's Spend A Day At Côte d'Ivoire Quiz

Answer:

Cote d'Ivoire is located in West Africa and borders the Gulf of Guinea to its south. It is on this coast that the city of Abidjan is located. This is the country's largest city and is a bustling port. It is often called the "Manhattan of the tropics" for its vibrant atmosphere and skyscrapers. The country itself was called Ivory Coast due to its trade in elephant ivory in its colonial years (18th and 19th centuries AD). The name "Côte d'Ivoire" is French for "Ivory Coast" and was officially adopted by the country in 1986.

The country has a unique restaurant type called a maquis. This is an open air style restaurant and/or bar. Here the locals gather to share stories and information and to partake of the food. The main dishes are usually types of stew made with chicken or fish that is both spicy and rich. A variety of starchy dishes make up the sides and often utilize cassava or rice. Tomatoes and onions are utilized as well. Plaintains, a starchy fruit in the banana family, are served fried and can be eaten as dessert or with a spicy sauce.

Cote d'Ivoire has over 60 ethnic groups, commonly classified into five main cultural clusters: Akan, Krou, Northern Mandé, Southern Mandé, and Voltaic/Gur. They are found in different geographic areas of the country. Although each group has its own history, economy, and religion they share many commonalities. One of these shared traits is their artistic ability, especially when it comes to the creation of masks. Hand-made and hand-painted and utilizing local materials, the masks are used to communicate with spirits, honor ancestors, and represent cultural values.

The country is one of the most biodiverse in Africa and has a wide array of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Although deforestation and hunting have hurt the animal populations, the country has several national parks which help protect them. As an example, Taï National Park is home to forest elephants, chimpanzees, and the pygmy hippopotamus. The elephant is also the symbol of the country's international football (soccer) team. This sport is the most popular in the country although basketball and rugby are gaining fans.

The people of Cote d'Ivoire generally identify as Muslim or Chrisitan, but there is still a significant percentage that practice indigenous beliefs. Some of these local practices involve animism which is the doctrine that every natural thing in the universe has a soul. Various festivals throughout the year exist to honor religion and local beliefs. These range from the Festival of Masks to the Fête du Dipri where women and children dance throughout the night to ward off evil spirits and protect the village. The men of these communities will perform a variety of dances involving intricate footwork and movements and can take over five years to fully learn.