baule

The Baule, also spelled Baoulé, are an Akan-speaking ethnic group primarily located in central Ivory Coast, with smaller communities in Liberia. They are one of the largest ethnic groups in Ivory Coast and have long played a central role in the country’s history and culture. Their traditional homeland is in the central highlands around Bouaké, with communities scattered in neighboring regions and a diaspora in urban centers.

Language and social organization: The Baoulé speak the Baoulé language, a Central Tano language within the Niger-Congo family. French is the official language of Ivory Coast, and many Baoulé people are bilingual. Traditional social life centers on kinship and chieftaincy, with elders and community leaders guiding ceremonies, dispute resolution, and major rites of passage.

Culture and arts: The Baoulé are renowned for their woodcarving and ceremonial sculpture. Their art includes intricately carved figures, stools, and masks used in ritual and social ceremonies. Baoulé art has influenced modern African art through its stylized forms and refined craftsmanship. Beadwork, textiles, and pottery also feature in their artistic traditions.

History and notable figures: The Baoulé have long maintained organized communities and monarchic or chiefly systems prior to and during the colonial era. During Ivory Coast’s path to independence, Baoulé leaders played a significant political role; notably, Félix Houphouët-Boigny, a Baoulé, became the first president of independent Ivory Coast in 1960, shaping the country’s postcolonial development.

Today: Baoulé people participate broadly in Ivory Coast’s economy, with agriculture as a foundation—yams, cassava, and cash crops such as cocoa are common—alongside urban professions. While modern life coexists with traditional practices, ceremonies, ancestor veneration, and cultural expressions remain important to Baoulé identity.