In Ivory Coast, Christmas for everyone regardless of religion

In Côte d’Ivoire, there is no majority religion and there are more and more mixed families. So that Christmas is a time of celebration for everyone, according to Marc, a 24-year-old Ivorian: “Coming from a Christian family, Christmas is a very important holiday with everything there is more classic: midnight mass, family meal, etc. But I have always grown up with Muslim neighbors who celebrate the 24th. December and also Christmas. In Abidjan, on the evening of the 24th, you will find plenty of Ivorians, regardless of their religious denomination, who meet to celebrate. “ And for some, the evening traditionally ends in a nightclub.

For this holiday, there is not really a specific dish. Food blogger Yasmine Fofana, aka Afrofoodie, explains that these are more everyday dishes: “There is a variety with braised or dishes in sauce. There are also classic dishes from the ‘West’ like logs for those who can afford it. There are dishes from various horizons, that’s the beauty of it and the magic of Christmas. “ Some supermarkets even offer luxury products: oysters, foie gras or salmon.

New Years Eve is being prepared well in advance in Abidjan. December is always a very busy time. Ivorians shop in shopping centers, and there are more and more of them in the economic capital. In many stores, it’s quite funny, there are decorations from the cold: polar bears, snowy trees and even a visit from Santa Claus. All at 30 ° C.

Like everywhere, December is the busiest time of the year for stores. Consumption is exploding in particular with the emergence of a middle class but also with Ivorians from the diaspora who are resettling in Abidjan. However, we must not forget the most modest Ivorians, who this year will have to monitor their spending because of inflation.