Autonomous District of Sassandra-Marahoué

The Autonomous District of Sassandra-Marahoué is a District in Côte d’Ivoire, in West Africa, whose capital is the town of Daloa. The District extends across the centre-west of the country and includes the regions of Haut-Sassandra (to the west) and Marahoué (to the east). This District was created in 2011 by decree no. 2011-263 of 28 September on the organisation of the national territory into Districts and Regions. The Marahoué region is rich in agricultural and poultry products. Cash crops include coffee, cocoa and sugar cane. Coffee and cocoa are grown in the southern part of the region and in some gallery forests in the north. These crops provide a livelihood for more than 90% of the farming population. Cotton and cashew nuts are becoming the region’s main cash crops. Plantain, yams, rice and cassava are grown throughout the district. Cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, pigs and fish are also reared. The Marahoué region is home to a number of traditional musical rhythms and dances, including Zaouli (classified as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO) and Saplô. Several festivals are held in the region, including the Festival des arts et cultures de la Marahoué (FACMA), the Festival des masques et des arts de Zuénoula (Festimaz) and the Ahoko N’Gowa Gwa storytelling festival in Kingrambo. Marahoué is home to a number of tourist sites and attractions. These include the Marahoué National Park, the confluence of the Bandama and Marahoué rivers at Bozi (Bouaflé), the rocky hills of Blablata (Bonon), the weaving village of Bazré (Sinfra), the fishing village of Bouaflé and the archaeological site of Gohitafla (Zuénoula).

Situated in a large clearing cut by a small marigot, the Tetegbeu, Daloa, capital of the Haut Sassandra region and capital of the Autonomous District of Sassandra-Marahoué, is surrounded by forest. Its population was originally made up of Gouros, Baoulés and Bétés, who were joined by Dioula traders and Malians. Each community has its own neighbourhood.