STORY: Festival of traditional games of Cote d'Ivoire concludes
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 25-26, 2024
DATELINE: Jan. 28, 2024
LENGTH: 00:06:04
LOCATION: Abidjan
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the festival
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (French): SIANDOU FOFANA, Minister of Tourism and Leisure
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (French): MOUSSA FOFANA, Participant
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (French): SIMON KOFFI, Student
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (French): KRA DAVID, Participant
6. various of the festival

STORYLINE:

The second National Festival of Traditional Games of Cote d'Ivoire concluded on Friday at the Banco National Park in Abidjan. 

The theme of the festival is "Traditional Games at the Heart of the AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations) of Hospitality." 

The event brought together participants from more than 12 regions in Cote d'Ivoire, aiming to promote traditional cultural customs, show the charm of various games and dances, encourage young people's interest in traditional culture, and promote the inheritance and development of local leisure activities in the country.

SOUNDBITE 1 (French): SIANDOU FOFANA, Minister of Tourism and Leisure
"Traditional games are more than simple entertainment, they are windows to the past and a strong connection between ancestors, elders and the younger generation.
We find in it the value of life experience and tradition, where we come from, who we are, where we are going, and what it means to be human being.
This festival is a special opportunity to celebrate the diversity of traditional games, from strategy games to sports games to board games that have stood the test of time and are the pride of our people.
They demonstrate our interest in diversity and the ability of our people to remain rooted in traditional culture in a modern land.
The purpose of these games is not only competition, but also to bring people closer,
to enrich exchanges between regions and create opportunities for national harmony.
By taking advantage of this opportunity, we not only protect and inherit our traditional culture, but also strengthen the friendship between people in various regions and encourage the younger generation to become more involved in these traditional games."

SOUNDBITE 2 (French): MOUSSA FOFANA, Participant
"In the tradition of our nation, the bow is a tool that brings wealth to the people.
We hope to promote it so that the younger generation can benefit and continue this tradition.
That's why we turned bow practice into a recreational game for a new generation, allowing them to immerse themselves in the profession of a hunter and making this tool recognized by young people.
This allows young people to train to become excellent shooters in the future."

SOUNDBITE 3 (French): SIMON KOFFI, Student
"The game is called Awale and is a classic traditional game. We need to place the seeds in the holes in the tray.
This game is very popular in the central region of Cote d'Ivoire. This is a game that requires calculation. If there are only two seeds in the hole in the opponent's tray, you can take them both until you have taken all the opponent's seeds."

SOUNDBITE 4 (French): KRA DAVID, Participant
"This top game is a group game. We usually play it in the dry season because the ground in the rainy season is not suitable for this game.
So how to play this game? First, there is a line down the middle that divides participants into two different camps.
We have a scout, usually placed at the front, and each camp has eight chess pieces.
When the opponent's piece touches your scout, you lose. This is the rule, otherwise you may have to pay a fine."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Abidjan.
(XHTV)