Bouak\u00e9, the second-largest city in Ivory Coast, with a population of 740,000 (2021 census). Bouak\u00e9 was established as a French military post in 1899 and has been an administrative centre since 1914. The city is the nation\u2019s second largest community and the commercial and transportation hub of the interior. Bouak\u00e9 has been the chief trade centre for the rice, yams, and livestock raised by the Baule (Baoule) people since the completion of the railway in 1912.<\/p>\n
The Baule belong to the Akan peoples who inhabit Ghana and C\u00f4te d’Ivoire. In the 1800s a group related to the Akan, the Assabou and Baoul\u00e9 settled in the vicinity of where Bouak\u00e9 was. The name Bouak\u00e9 coming from two Baoul\u00e9 words: “Boua” which means sheep and “K\u00e9” which means dry. Thus, it is the place where sheep are dried, as they would have seen Jula drying sheep skins when they arrived in Bouak\u00e9.<\/p>\n
Bouak\u00e9 is today home to people from many different backgrounds. The city\u2019s distinctiveness comes from it being a platform for the combinations of identities and cultures on which its economic, political, and social dynamism has long been based.<\/p>\n
Bouak\u00e9 is originally named Gb\u00e8k\u00e8kro\u2014meaning \u2018village of Gk\u00e8k\u00e8\u2019 (after the city\u2019s founder) in Baoul\u00e9. It is regarded as the connecting link between the Ivory Coast’s north and south.<\/p>\n
Islam was introduced to Ivory Coast in the 10th century by traders from North Africa. However, it was not until the 18th century that Islam began to spread in the region, thanks to the efforts of Muslim scholars and traders. Bouak\u00e9 became a major center of Islamic learning and practice, and it played a crucial role in the spread of Islam in Ivory Coast and beyond. The architecture of Bouak\u00e9 reflects the Islamic influence on the city. The most notable example of Islamic architecture in Bouak\u00e9 is the Grand Mosque, which was built in the 1940s.<\/p>\n
Islam has had a significant impact on the culture of Bouak\u00e9. Muslims in Bouak\u00e9 observe religious practices, such as daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, and giving alms to the poor. The city also celebrates Islamic holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, which are marked by feasting, prayer, and family gatherings.<\/p>\n
Islamic culture has also influenced Bouak\u00e9\u2019s cuisine. Muslim dishes, such as mafe (peanut stew) and yassa (marinated meat or fish), are popular in the city\u2019s restaurants and homes. These dishes are often made with traditional spices, such as ginger and tamarind, which give them a distinct flavour.<\/p>\n