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Chelsea Ashcroft
S00577538
DANC 1010
July 16, 2014


A trip to the Ivory Coast

The Cte dIvoire, or more commonly known as the Ivory Coast, is a small
country in West Africa whose unique location on the Gulf of Guinea and valuable
natural resources has made it an economic power in Africa and at the center of trade
among Sub-Saharan countries. The Ivory Coasts ideal location and economic
stability has long attracted large numbers of migrants whose culture has influenced
and formed what the country is today. This is especially true of the French who laid
claim to the land for over a century, leaving a deep influence on the country. Today
the Ivory Coast is an independent country that represents over sixty distinctly
different tribes. Every tribe represents a different ethnicity, that regardless of its
size maintains their own unique culture, traditions, and language-every tribe has a
mother-tribe dialect they use in conjunction to the official French dialect. Because
of its extreme linguistic and ethnic diversity, it has become one of the most diverse
countries in Africa.
I interviewed a young woman from school who recently moved here from
Africa. She is from Abidjan (economic capital on the coast), is part of the Malink
tribe, and is Muslim. I decided to choose her because I really didnt know much
about Muslim or the African peoples culture or way of life. I consulted with my
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interviewee twice, almost 2 hours the first time and for about 30 minuets the second
time. At first I was a little uncomfortable interviewing someone that was in my class,
and having to ask them personal questions. However I felt that it was easy to keep
the conversation flowing and ask questions, even the more sensitive questions.
I started asking questions about growing up in her country, her family, and
religion. I learned that she was part of a high social class growing up and that her
father died when she was really young. In her culture women arent allowed to
inherit their husbands property, so everything was given to her dads brothers.
Fortunately, her mother came from a wealthy family, went to school, and was
working, so she was able to maintain their social status. This is a big reason why she
came to the States, because she wants to get a better education, so that when she
goes back she will have an advantage in the job market. Also, because I learned it
was typical for Muslim parents to arrange for their daughters to be married as soon
as they started their menstrual cycle, especially in lower social classes. This is
because they believe the familys eternal salvation resides in the virtue of their
daughters, so they dont want her to be tempted to have sex before marriage.
However, women from higher social classes who are devout to their faith are able to
prolong marriage, to get an education.
It became apparent very quick that her religion is a big part of her culture,
and almost every aspect of their life is determined by the Muslim religion. One of the
main defining characteristics of her faith is that she is required to pray five times a
day at the same time at 4am, 2pm, 6pm, 7pm, and 9pm; as well as attend church
every Friday. She talked about how Muslim women traditionally are supposed to
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keep their head, arms, and legs covered; but it is more relaxed in her country and it
is socially acceptable to see women without their head covered or wearing clothing
that shows more skin. She told me this is largely because of the changes attitudes of
the younger generations that are being influenced by Western culture and because
there is a large presence of a Christian population, who dont have the same dress.
The biggest difference she mentioned was that everyone here is always busy
and that its hard for people to find time. She mentioned that in her country a sense
of community is important and people always find time for someone regardless of
how busy they are; her community is like a big family. For example the whole
community gets together for almost any occasion to celebrate and dance. The
Goumbe is a collective dance that is taught at a young age and everyone participates.
This dance is done in a large circle and moves along with the beat of a big drum, that
is a symbol of community unity.
Although she lives with her brother, she hardly ever gets to see him, because
he is working all the time. I felt sympathy towards her at this point, because I could
only image how hard it would be living in a different country where I didnt know
anyone that I could go to or talk when Im having a hard time or just a bad day. She
also mentioned how it has been difficult to make friends because she cant work, and
can only meet people at school. Even when she does make friends it hard to find a
time to hang out, because she doesnt have a car and usually people can only hang
out for short periods of time and she has to be home at specific times to pray.
I learned that the color of her skin and her religion hasnt had any apparent
implications of how people treat her or behave around her; but it is more the subtle
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things that she couldnt really explain. Its almost like she feels she is accepted in
society but doesnt feel a sense of community. This assignment made me realize that
I cant necessarily comprehend how life would be living in such a diverse place as
the Ivory Coast. I have traveled a fair amount and have been introduced to a variety
of different cultures, but dont know how it would be almost always feeling like part
of a minority. This assignment has changed some of my previous perceptions about
African countries in general. I always associated African countries as
underdeveloped and small villages everywhere. It was definitely interesting to look
up where she lived and see that she lived in a city bigger than Salt Lake City that had
obvious Western Influence. I love to travel and have never really thought about
Africa as a desirable destination; however, after learning a little more about the
different cultures and what it can be like, Im interested to go there someday and
experience it first-hand. Ive realize just how ignorant I am of the diversity and
cultures of our world