SUMMARY

The Bété ethnic group is part of the larger Kru tribe, located mainly in the south-western and south central part of Ivory Coast. It is the second largest ethnic group in Ivory Coast. They are mainly christian or adhere to traditional religions.

A key issue in Ivory Coast is that of ethnicity and origin. The Bété consider themselves to be Ivoirians, a sentiment that is shared by several other ethnic groups. However, the question of belonging has been highly volatile in Ivory Coast, ever since independence. During the preface to the elections of 2000, as well as 2002, which were marred with ethnic violence, the issue was inevitably brought into the limelight. The nationality of the leading opposition politician, Alassane Ouattara, was subject to doubt, and it was claimed he was in fact Burkinabe, an accusation that further fuelled the ethnic polarization in the Ivorian society. The issue of Ivorianess was brought to the fore during the election process of 2002 when the issue of voter registration turned out to be problematic. The Bété was among those who were not excluded by this process. Rather they identified strongly as being part of the electorate, being Ivoirians in every sense.

The Bété has had representation in the Ivorian government since president Gbagbo was of Bété ethnicity.