The blessed month of Ramadan, long awaited by the faithful, has a unique feature in Ivory Coast, particularly in Abidjan where, this month of piety and devotion is celebrated every year by members of the Moroccan community in pure ancestral traditions and a jovial atmosphere.
The advent of the holy month is thus intended as a major event for Moroccans living in the land of the traditional ‘Akwaba’ (Welcome in language Baoule), who take it as an opportunity to testify of their attachment to their cultural traditions by focusing on every detail when preparing for the Ftour table. Hence Ramadan happens in a 100 pc Moroccan atmosphere.
In doing so, the ambition of every Moroccan in Ivory Coast is to demonstrate that the integration within Ivorian society operates easily and that any feeling of remoteness or foreign residence is placed aside in a cosmopolitan country, where respect is” intrinsic to each of the specific religious and ethnic communities and peaceful coexistence between them, is well established.
In neighborhoods with a high presence of Moroccans, especially in Treichville (Street 12) Adjamé, Kumasi, Marcory and others, the atmosphere is no different from that which marks the holy month in Morocco. The markets of these districts are largely supplied.
It is the same in the main streets and arteries of these neighborhoods, which since the early hours of each morning is experiencing a remarkable effervescence and an unusual agitation, becoming open sky businesses, managed by young sellers who come to spread a variety of goods.
In these markets, we find absolutely everything; kitchenware, fruits and vegetables, fish and meat and other foods of the Ivorian and African cuisine to the convenience of customers with different budgets. Here it is customary, like the popular districts of Morocco, to bargain and to make proposals before the deal is closed.
The Moroccan integration into Ivorian society, welcoming and generous, is so exemplary that it is not strange to note that at the time of breaking the fast, sometimes Ivorians and Moroccans take pleasure in sharing good moments around a table well garnished with dishes and delights of both Moroccan and Ivorian cuisine.
This atmosphere is often the immediate privilege of ‘simplicity’ of ‘generosity’ and especially ‘modesty’ as Moroccans are often known by their openness, and their attachment to the precepts of moderate Islam and balance, which encourages tolerance, respect and love of others.
Ramadan is also a suitable time for members of the Moroccan community settled in Abidjan to show their solidarity. Indeed, the blessed month is an opportunity to make remittances in Morocco, as a way to support families back home and enable them to pay consequent bills imposed by the exceptional needs of the month.
In the Moroccan Restaurant ‘L’Oriental’, situated in Zone 4, one of the upscale neighborhoods of the Ivorian economic capital, reviving the Moroccan atmosphere of Ramadan is possible.
Its younger commonly called manager ‘Simou’ ‘makes every effort to ensure that the Moroccan traditions are respected in the rules of art, making sure to provide its Moroccan and foreign customers a varied and extensive menu offering hearty dishes ranging from royal couscous, tagines to, barbecues, Moroccan soups, traditional assortments of salads, all often served with mint tea and aromatic plants carefully imported from Morocco.
It is the same at the popular cafe ‘Happiness’ ‘located at Rue 12 in Treichville, managed by a Moroccan named’ Nora ” or the little restaurant ‘THE MC’ (food), built close by a young Moroccan, Ahmed. These two little corners tend to set themselves apart as “good addresses” to adequately meet the demands of clients.
Some even go to both corners in search for an adequate Iftar meal or come by simply to eat food and specialties such as Moroccan pancakes, small traditional bread, homemade juices and others.
In reality, these ‘businesses’ contribute substantially to radiate the culinary traditions of Morocco and especially to revive it back according to the culture and the habits of the country.
During Ramadan, the exchange of visits between families, friends and relatives is a common feat among Moroccans of Abidjan. They take the pleasure to meet every evening to break the fast together, or at night after the prayer of ‘Tarawih’, a time to share all the moments of joy and relaxation around a cup of mint tea, often served with dried fruit and small delicacies.
The spiritual environment is another characteristic of Ramadan. After breaking the fast, the craze is tangible in Abidjan mosques, notably the Plateau Mosque, the Riviera mosque or the mosque in Zone 4 where Moroccans among the faithful in Abidjan join other members of the Muslim community to pray together.
Far from these places of worship, the atmosphere is more attractive, since the young and old among the members of the Moroccan community and others choose to invest in mass outdoor cafés and hotels, to chat about topics like: Planning a summer vacation in Morocco, family visits or engage simply in intellectual discussions.
Therefore, the atmosphere of Ramadan in Abidjan is unique and perfectly illustrates the symbiosis and especially the high degree of integration of the Moroccan community into an Ivorian society, which believes in difference and has respect for others, their traditions, specificities and customs, which not only is the secret to its homogeneity and cohesion, but also its strength.
