‘Remembering the dark days’ The Ivorian Carnival": Re- enacting times during colonial rule

‘Remembering the dark days’

Ivorian tribe acts out harrowing scenes harking back to colonial rule as carnival comes to town

 

 

 The Popo Carnival in Bonoua is the Ivorian’s version of Mardi Gras and runs for a week in the east of Abidjan

Popo translates as ‘mask,’ allowing participants to design their own bright and colorful decorations

Men from the Aboure tribe present war dances for generations and play out cruel scenes from colonial rule

These scenes depict some of the harrowing experiences the Aboure people had when Ivory Coast was under French Colonial rule

Re-enacting scenes from when the country was under French Colonial rule, these fascinating photographs show Ivorians showing off their culture in the annual Popo Carnival.
The carnival in Bonoua is the Ivorian’s version of Mardi Gras and runs for a week in the east of Abidjan. It one of the most well-attended events in the Ivory Coast.
Derived from at first a celebration of the cultural heritage of the Aboure people, the Popo Carnival involves gastronomic competitions, Miss pageants, sports days, a festival of traditional dances and reflection workshops among other activities.

 

 

 

 

This man plays the part of servant, forced into carrying his master by hammock, as another senior whips him into action

Young girls from the Aboure ethnic group attend one of the parades during the Popo Carnival in BonouaYoung men from the Aboure ethnic group present a war dance for generations celebrations

Popo translates as ‘mask,’ allowing participants to design their own bright and colourful decorations to take part in the parades.Young men from the Aboure tribe present war dances for generations, while they also re-enact scenes of forced labor in the days of the colonial period.

These performances bring back particularly harrowing memories for many – men cower on the floor as those who play the parts of the taskmasters stand over them with batons and sticks at hand, ready to strike.
The girls and women of the ethnic group also get involved in acting out some of the past, as they walk through the streets half-naked.

Faces are somewhat sterner in this photos, as the men from the Aboure perform the war dance complete with weapons

The carnival of Bonoua is the Ivorian’s version of Mardi Gras running for a week, offering locals the chance to dress for the occasion

 

An Ivorian takes part in a parade on the last day of the 35th Popo Carnival in Bonoua, around 40 miles south of Abidjan, Ivory CoastYoung girls from the Aboure ethnic group join the line to re-enact some of the culture and tradition of their background

The Ivory Coast officially became a French colony on March 10, 1893. Slavery was eventually abolished in 1905, but it wasn’t until 1958 that the country became an autonomous republic within the French Community as a result of a referendum. Ivory Coast became independent on August 7, 1960.

Despite some aspects of the festival remembering some of the harsher aspects of their background, there is still opportunities for those involved to celebrate their culture

The carnival in the Ivory Coast is one of the most well attended events in the country where the young and old can get involved

The Popo Carnival involves gastronomic competitions, Miss pageants, sports days, a festival of traditional dances and reflection workshops These fascinating photographs show Ivorians showing off their culture in the annual Popo CarnivalPeople take pictures of a young girl from the Aboure ethnic group attending a parade

 

Customs and traditions are celebrated in the carnival, which bursts onto the streets with fire and an array of colourThis participant is perhaps working up the courage to meet fire as hundred watch the colourful procession 

Popo translates as ‘mask,’ allowing participants to design their own bright and colourful decorations to take part in the parades

 

The festival originally started off as a showcase of the culture and traditions of the Aboure people, but now it is an important national event that is in its 35th year

Courtesy: mail

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