The Abissa Festival, celebrated every year by the N’zima people in the historic town of Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire, is a major cultural and spiritual event. Usually held between late October and early November, this traditional festival marks both the end of the year for the N’zima and the symbolic renewal of society.
Above all, Abissa is a moment of communal gathering. During this period, the N’zima dress in their finest clothes, often rich in colours and patterns, and parade through the streets to the rhythm of drums and traditional songs. The dances, synchronised and codified, convey symbolic and sometimes satirical messages, reflecting the community’s concerns.
The festival also provides an opportunity for customary chiefs and elders to review the problems that have marked the past year. Public criticism is expressed through songs and dances, thereby allowing grievances to be “washed away” and making room for a fresh start. It is a collective process of social and moral purification.
On a spiritual level, Abissa carries a sacred dimension. It begins with a retreat of spiritual leaders who commune with the ancestors to seek blessings and protection. Only after this stage can the popular festivities commence.
Over the years, Abissa has preserved its authenticity while opening itself to the world. Today, the event attracts many visitors, both national and international, eager to discover the cultural richness of the N’zima people and to share in their convivial spirit.
Taking part in Abissa is not merely attending a festival: it is an immersion into a living tradition, one that conveys values of forgiveness, unity and rebirth. This celebration stands as powerful testimony to the ability of African cultures to preserve their roots whilst adapting to the transformations of the modern world.