Zaouli is a form of music and dance practiced by the Guro communities of Bouaflé and Zuénoula departments of Côte d'Ivoire. It is one of the primary reasons for visiting this undiscovered part of West Africa. The small region of Bouaflé, and to a lesser extent from Zuénénola, is just north of the bustling city of Yamoussoukro in the Ivory Coast.
Until the formation of Zaouli, the Guro culture was relatively obscure on the Ivory Coast's anthropological map. In the past, Bouaflé has catapulted the Guro people to world fame. In Europe, Asia, and Africa. Created in the 1950s, Zaouli dance is a relatively new addition to the cultural landscape of the Ivory Coast.
This dance and music homage to female beauty is inspired by two masks: the Blou, and the Djela, the daughter of Djela. Zaouli is known also as Djela lou Zaouli, which means Zaouli, the daughter of Djela, which is now reflected in the generic mask worn by dancers. A single event presents together sculpture, weaving, music, and dance.
Zaouli has been featured in celebrations such as the Festima in Burkina Faso, bringing glory to not only the Guro people but also the cultures of the Ivory Coast as a whole. According to Zaouli tradition, there are seven types of masks. The dance is done only by men, although its name is derived from a young girl.
A Zaouli performer takes about seven years to perfect their moves as it is extremely physically demanding and psychologically challenging. During a performance, the performer holds his body still and performs a myriad of different movements. The performer is not permitted to repeat those moves for the duration of one performance. Even though they may look similar, the complex movements of his feet are difficult to figure out and can be mesmerizing to watch.
Nowadays through the use of social media networks like Tik Tok, Facebook, and Instagram, Zaouli has gone viral around the world. This amazing dance involves almost superhuman-like moves where the dancer only appears to move his legs. Aside from the practitioners and bearers, the Zaouli plays an educational, playful, and aesthetic role.
It contributes to social cohesion, contributes to the preservation of the environment, conveys the culture of the bearers, and helps preserve the environment. The traditional chiefdoms, which are responsible for transmitting traditions, also play a key role.
By organizing this performance twice or three times a week, the transmission process also occurs during performances when amateurs learn under the supervision of professional practitioners. Inter-village competitions and festivals further promote the renewal of Zaouli. Researchers and documenters are also actively involved.