Speaking of drinks, be mindful that the beverages at the Village Stage don’t come in singles, so bring your friends along to help you stave off the constant heat. A mixture of French, English, Spanish, Dioula, Baoulé, Guéré and many more dialects and phrases are combined to form a street-savvy tongue in working-class neighbourhoods, which always comes in handy when ordering a drink from the local sellers. Nouchi appeared in Abidjan toward the end of the 1970s, coming from the Manding words nou (nostrils) and chi (hairs) or ‘nose-hairs’, a nickname used to describe street kids. In Anoumabo, French and the local dialect Nouchi are common. Since the festivities start early in the day, you’ll have time to get to know a bit of the local lingo. While you’re enjoying the zouglou tributes and showcases, kids can keep busy at the FEMUA Kids area, where jumping castles, slides and roundabouts are monitored for hours on end. Present are upcoming artists such as Oprah, Josée Delatour and Defty, showing their stuff in the hope of being booked for the equally massive Main Stage the following year. The Village Stage has thousands of plastic chairs and tables ready to be commandeered, lined with stalls known as maquis ready to serve you. There are a few spaces to enjoy at the festival grounds, which are held at the National Institute of Youth and Sports (Institut National de la Jeunesse et des Sports), better known as INJS Marcory. In one such workshop, artists such as Roseline Layo and KS Bloom geared up to talk about their careers, entrepreneurship opportunities and how social media came to their aid. In the past, FEMUA has supported initiatives such as the construction of schools and hospitals, the distribution of mosquito nets to prevent malaria, and the promotion of renewable energy – showing the local community just how beneficial the arts can be in changing lives.ĭuring the first few days, you’ll be treated to showcases that highlight the connections between neighbouring countries in the region, through a series of workshops and shows called Carrefour Jeunesse – the youth focus. Each time the festival is held, awareness and funds are raised for a specific cause, such as education, health or the environment. FEMUA takes place over several days and features a diverse range of musical styles, including all sorts of traditional African music, reggae, hip hop and pop. If you ever make it down to Anoumabo for FEMUA, below is a quick guide to help you navigate the festival and learn a little something along the way.īeing one of the largest West African festival-conference to date, FEMUA turns out large crowds and plenty of opportunities to learn about the beauty and cultural heritage of Ivory Coast, along with its chosen partner country, which happened to be Togo in 2023. Over the years, Magic System’s success has inspired many other local artists to pursue their passion for music and has significantly contributed to the development of the urban music scene in Abidjan. Their most popular hit, ‘Premier Gaou’, remains a classic anthem of Ivorian music and has recently been brought back into the limelight in new parts of the world by electronic music stars like Francis Mercier, Black Motion and Nitefreak. Magic System’s infectious tunes and energetic performances quickly gained international attention, turning A'salfo and his bandmates into one of Africa’s most well-known music groups. In the late 1990s, the city’s music scene was revolutionised by Magic System, which combined traditional African rhythms with modern electronic beats, creating a unique sound called zouglou. Music has always played a crucial role in the cultural identity of Abidjan. Fifteen years in the making, the aim of the festival is to promote African music and culture, and to raise awareness about social and environmental issues. The neighbourhood has become synonymous with the vibrant urban music scene in the Ivorian capital. Today, Anoumabo is widely known as the birthplace of the famous Ivorian music group Magic System, led by A'salfo, the founder of FEMUA.
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