Discover the Ivory Coast: Top 10 Fascinating and Unique Fun Facts You'll Want to Share!

1. Heavenly Showdown: Basilica vs. St. Peter's

Move over St. Peter's Basilica, there's a bigger (and taller) church in town: The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, not only boasts 30,000 square meters of space for divine rendezvous, but also soars to heavenly heights at 158 meters tall, making it the largest church in terms of size and area, and the tallest one on Earth!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Man: A City of Leopard-Powered Secrets

Heard of the leopardy town with the most fall-tastic vistas? Ivory Coast's Man is your ultimate "holy cat!" destination: Brimming with awe-inspiring landscapes that boast waterfalls and the grand Mount Tonkoui at 1,189 meters, this city is also home to a sect of enigmatic Gor initiates rumored to have supernatural powers, like going invisible or transforming into your favorite feline – the leopard!
Source => discover-ivorycoast.com

Did you know Ghana has a unique traditional beverage called Pito? Made from fermented millet or sorghum, it's served in a calabash and supports rural households' income. 🍺🇬🇭

=> Fun Facts about Ghana

3. Cocoa Paradise: World's Chocolate Factory

If you’ve ever found yourself hopped up on chocolate and wondered, "Who do I have to thank for this cocoa-induced euphoria?": Welcome to Côte d'Ivoire, the world champion of cocoa production! More than 60,000 farmers over 1,412 communities tirelessly contribute to your chocolate cravings through their participation in the Cocoa Life program, honing their skills and quenching their cocoa trees with essential fertilizers and pesticides.
Source => cocoalife.org

4. The Coast's Disappearing Act

Has anyone seen the ocean's lost tooth? Well, it’s being sold off in little pieces! The Ivory Coast's coast is eroding faster than coastal real estate agents can keep up: In 2017, this degradation cost the country nearly $2 billion, equivalent to about 5% of its GDP, making it one of West Africa's most severely affected countries by rising sea levels and coastal erosion.
Source => reuters.com

5. Pathé'O: The Fashion Force of Africa

In a world where "the clothes maketh the man" and sewing is the ultimate form of vogue-a-la-mode, an Ivorian-Burkinabé hero rises to stitch his way into your heart and make fashionably tailored impressions on influential leaders: Pathé'O is a renowned tailor turned fashion designer who has dressed Nelson Mandela, Morocco's King Mohamed VI, and even billionaire Aliko Dangote, while shaping society's attitudes towards the sewing profession and winning the "Golden Scissors" contest back in 1987.
Source => africanews.com

6. Masked Marvels: Dan People's Spirit World

If you thought your teenager's mask phase was just a passing trend, the Dan people of Ivory Coast might have them beat: They have been using sacred wooden masks for centuries, not only for protection but also as a means of communication with the spirit world during rituals and festivals. These masks come in various forms and serve unique purposes, from participating in mesmerizing stilt dance routines to aiding young men on their journey to adulthood, all while under the watchful eye of the go master – the head honcho of the leopard secret society.
Source => artyfactory.com

7. Soccer Elephants Dance to Victory

Whoever said elephants can't dance clearly never met the Elephants of the Ivory Coast: Led by legendary Didier Drogba and powerhouse Yaya Toure, their national soccer team has cha-cha'd their way into the World Cup three times, leaving opponents shaking in their soccer cleats with their dynamic physicality and explosive attacks.
Source => bleacherreport.com

8. Zaouli: A Dance of Supernatural Skill

In a who-needs-a-gym-when-you-can-dance-like-this moment: Zaouli, a dazzling dance from Ivory Coast, features nearly supernatural movements where dancers appear to move only their legs, leaving their upper bodies eerily still. Originating in the 1950s and inspired by a young Guro girl named Djela Lou Zaouli, this mesmerizing dance is performed at significant celebrations and funerals, symbolizing prosperity and unity for the Guro people of Bouaflé, a region just north of Yamoussoukro.
Source => wildimages-phototours.com

9. Forest Spirits Throw a Dancing Showdown

In the Ivory Coast, dancing with forest spirits is not only encouraged, it's a full-blown competition: The Fêtes des Masques is an annual festival where villages vie for the title of best dancers, honoring the mystical beings embodied in elaborate masks and celebrating their rich culture and artistic prowess.
Source => abury.net

10. Tuxedo-Clad Guinea Fowls of Taï National Park

Who said Guinea fowls can't rock a tuxedo? Behold, the classy white-breasted guineafowl: the only known population of this critically endangered bird resides in Ivory Coast's Taï National Park, which also happens to be the largest primary rainforest in West Africa.
Source => ibream.org