SUMMARY

Although the Senufo is believed to be the oldest ethnic group living in the Ivory Coast it is considered a non-indigenous tribe in the western parts of the country. With an estimated 2 500 000 clan members, the group is also one of the largest groups in western Africa. Located in the northern savannah of the Ivory Coast, the southern parts of Mali and the western corner of Burkina Faso, the Senufo people originate from the lower parts of Burkina Faso from where they were pushed out by enemy tribes. The Ivorian city of Korhogo is considered as the capital of the Senufo people.

The sense of family is important to the Senufo group. All members of the village are considered as part of the family and meals are always shared, food is stored in common locations and work is divided amongst the villagers. Although famous for their artwork, the Senufo’s livelihood is agricultural activities such as the cultivation of rice, peanuts, cotton and millet.

The most important institutions of Senufo life is the Poro for men and the Sakrobundi for women. These institutions are responsible for the maintenance of Senufo culture and the education of young tribe members. Education of Senufo children is traditionally divided into three seven-year periods during which the children will undergo a series of different tests. The first step is agricultural and mythological learning, the second is military training, dances and rites and the third is spiritual. Villagers who fail the tests are automatically excluded and banished from the village.

The villages are governed by a council of elderly and a tribal chief. The Senufo are mainly animists or Muslim. Like many other northern groups, Senufo people had a long history of migrating to the southern parts of the country in search of work. Due to the presence of the group both in Mali and Burkina Faso, the Senufo had long been stigmatized as foreigners by the southerners in Ivory Coast.

The Senufo have been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence