AHOUAKRO ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK

The Ahouakro Archaeological Park, on Unesco's World Heritage "tentative" list since 2006, is a tourist attraction of great interest. Initially covering an area of 120 ha, this site is set amidst a massif of imposing magmatic and granitic megaliths dating from the Middle Paleoproterozoic (-2300 to -2150 million years ago). Through the process of erosion, these stones have adopted surprising natural shapes and configurations, giving some an anthropomorphic appearance, while others are distinguished by a balance as precarious as it is mysterious.
The highly sacred nature of the site is particularly noteworthy. The rocks have been named after their shape by the local Baule population, who live along the banks of the river and manage Ahouakro, such as the "finger of Nanan Koffi Ahoua" (the first occupant of the site, which bears his name, Ahouakro, meaning "Ahoua's village" in Baule). The park is believed to be shared by two powerful spiritual entities. The largest, Djandja Yassoua (male entity), occupies the western part of the park and reigns supreme over six rocks: (1) the "elephant rock" (zoomorphic) named Essui Yoboué in Baoulé; (2) the "swing rock"(Alongoya Yoboué), whose fragile balance is ensured by a liana; (3) the "assembly rock"(Aklokoum), the courtyard where the genie and his subjects meet; (4) the "rice rock"(Ahué Yoboué), with a basin at the top where rice naturally grows; (5) the "python cemetery rock"(Kanamié N'dia), a slab supported by low pillars under which pythons, often burned by bush fires, die; (6) the female genie rock Songodi. These rocks are found in the N'doumi-Oussou sector. The second protective entity is the hill genie, which occupies the eastern sector of the park, while the Kouria-Oussou district of Ahouakro is home to a female immaterial entity known as Djandja-Blah, also symbolized by a rock. There are also prehistoric remains dating from the Neolithic period (9000 to 3300 BC).

The site is also the scene of religious activities by the local population. As a result, you can't just wander into these highly mystical places at the drop of a hat, or you'll inevitably be struck by bad luck. Visiting the site is therefore subject to the approval of Ahouakro's custodians and initiates. Not an easy task.