Korhogo

Korhogo was founded in the 13th century. It is the capital of the Senoufo people, who are best known for their wooden carvings. The small area known as Quartier des Sculptures is the best place to look for woodcarvings, as that is where most of the wood carvers live and work. Also from Korhogo are the painted tiles, known as toiles that you can see hung up in many places in Côte d'Ivoire. The best place to look for these is the Centre Artisanat.

There is a busy market in the center of town. High up on the hill behind the town is a mosque. The views from its tallest minaret are stunning.

The education of the Senoufo's children is divided into 3 seven-year periods in which they learn traditional skills and habits. The education is divided into the Poro cult for boys and Sakrobundi for girls and ends with a ceremony that includes circumcision. During this ritual wooden masks are used, just like the ones sold by the woodcarvers. Most of the ritual is done on secret locations, but some parts of it, such as la dance des hommes panthères (dance of the leopard men) can be watched by visitors.

In korhogo you'll also find the Péléforo Gbon Coulibaly Regional Museum, as well as a cinema and a municipal swimming pool.

Korhogo is in the north of Côte d'Ivoire, some 300 km north of Yamoussoukro. The city can be reached by air, as well as by buses that serve the city several times a day. Cars can be rented in Korhogo. Accommodation and restaurants are easily found in Korhogo.

There are several interesting crafts villages in the vicinity of Korhogo. Each village is specialized in certain crafts. You can go to Fogo for musical instruments, Torgokaha for baskets and hats, and in Waraniéné you can find woven clothing. Mount Korhogo is in the southwest of town.