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SOCIETY
PEOPLE
Ivory
Coast has a population of approx. 16,400,000 people (est. July 2001).
The number of ethnic groups exceeds 60 – the Baoulé in the center, the
Agri Eastwards, the Senufo Northward, the Dioula in the northwest and
west, the Bété central-west and the Dan-Yacouba Westwards. Baoulé was
promoted by Houphouët-Boigny constituting 23% of the population. With
the succession of Konan Bédié (of Baoulé), many groups had been annoyed
especially the Bété.
About 40% of the
population is Migrants from West-African countries.
RELIGION
The country comprises of 12% population Christian, 25% Muslims
and 63% Traditional Beliefs.
Traditional religions of ancestral
worship are followed by many here. According to their belief, the
dead are transformed to spirits who them continue to remain in contact
with the living via rituals. The living seek their blessings and
protection. Magic is also commonly performed here and is said to help
ward off evil spirits.
There are medicine men
(Juju priests) who give out charms, are fortune tellers and
provide advices on ways to keep out of danger. Additionally, they are
said to have the power to bless Grisgris – a necklace of charms
for keeping out of specific evils. The Sonoufo people are said
to be strong believers of these thoughts. Over the years, children of
Aenoufo have been instructed as to the customs of the place and are
then secretly initiated.
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Capital: Abidjan
Area: 322 462 km²
Population: 14 015 000
Currency: 1 US$ = 600 CFA
GDP: 132/1 668$
HDI : 145/368
CPI : 59/3.1
Languages: French, fon, Yoruba, Somka, Dendi, Bariba, Goun, Adja,
Pila-pila
Ethnic groups: Akan (southeast), Kru (southwest), Voltaic Northeast),
Malinké Mande (northwest) Lebanese
Religions: Animist 60%, Muslim 20%, Christian 20%
H of S: Henri Konan-Bédié ‘93
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