![]() Two other separate dances ensued, that of the red mask of Gan, which symbolises the strategy of game animals like antelopes to avoid being caught by hunters, and finally the orange mask of Sortanvani, representing weavers in Guro culture. Performed in Europe, Asia and in large celebrations across Africa like Festima in Burkina Faso (featured below), Zaouli has brought fame to not only the Guro people but to the cultures of Ivory Coast in general.Ĭaptivating audiences across the globe, Zaouli was added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2017. ![]() ![]() Now this incredible dance has catapulted Bouaflé onto the world stage. Until the formation of Zaouli the Guro culture was relatively obscure on the anthropological map of Ivory Coast. Zaouli originates in the small region of Bouaflé (and to a lesser extent in the neighbouring department of Zuénola), just north of the bustling city of Yamoussoukro. Performed at important celebrations and funerals, it is believed to bring prosperity to the village where it is shown and it is seen as a tool of unity for Guro people.īOUAFLÉ – A tiny African department with links across the globe Now the generic masks worn by Zaouli dancers carry her name, Djela. Created only in the 1950s it was inspired by a young Guro girl, Djela Lou Zaouli (the Lion’s daughter). The dance of Zaouli is a relatively new addition to the cultural landscape of Ivory Coast. Originating in the Guro people of Ivory Coast (Côte D’Ivoire), seeing a performance of Zaouli was the key reason we decided to visit this lesser visited destination of West Africa and it didn’t disappoint! This incredible dance involves an almost super-human like series of moves where the dancer appears to only move his legs without his body. It is the dance that has gone viral across our planet by posts on social media networks like Tik Tok, Facebook and Instagram. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to go behind the scenes at one of Africa’s most celebrated dances? Wild Images was recently offered a privileged glimpse…. The wild dance moves of Zaouli enthral the crowd (image by Inger Vandyke)
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