INTRODUCTION
They are becoming increasingly rare in the urban media, but they have nevertheless left an indelible mark on the Ivorian collective imagination. We are referring, of course, to the Ziguehis. A key figure in the 1980s and initiator of the first urban movement in Côte d’Ivoire. Admired by some, hated by some, feared by others, the Ziguehi movement was to take root in every stratum of Ivorian culture. Let’s take a look at the cultural legacy of the Ziguehi movement.
An emblematic figure
Born on the streets of Abidjan from 1980 onwards, the ziguehi is most often presented as a man who stands out for his rebellious attitude, a language of his own, nouchi, and a distinctive style of dress reminiscent of American gangsters. A big fan of action films, the ziguehi likes martial arts, brawling and street fights. He can also be recognised by his muscular mass, and wants to look like his idols: Bruce Lee, Chakie Chan, Jean Claude Van Damm… The ziguehi has his own champions, the famous John Pololo, Apollo, Grand Vegas and Blokus, who have made their name through fables and stories. It was this character who started the movement that would forever influence Ivorian culture.
Heritage and indelible mark
From its inception, the Ziguehi movement has fascinated to the point of popularising Nouchi, the language of the street, its own language spoken by all of the country’s socio-professional strata. Although it must be said that the Ziguehis alone cannot claim authorship of nouchi, thanks to their contribution this slang is now part of the Ivorian identity.
Big arms in music
The Ziguehis movement has also spawned a number of emblematic musical groups that have helped to boost its popularity. These included the group RAS, the Yang System and the iconic Gor la montagne. These groups helped to promote not only the movement, but also the emergence of hip hop culture. In this respect, it can be said that Ziguehi artists are the precursors of the rap/hip-hop movement in Côte d’Ivoire. After the witch-hunt launched against them in 1999, several zigues went into exile in Europe. The old continent then also discovered ziguehi in a more modern form.
Today, many still pay tribute to these street kingpins, such as the rapper Fireman and his famous Ziguehi trop concept, or the group Kiff no beat and their song Gor la Montagne.
In literature and even in comics.
In Côte d’Ivoire, many authors have drawn inspiration from the ziguehi movement in their works. The famous comic strip ‘Gnamankoudji Zekinan’, published by the newspaper Gbich and recounting the adventures of a ziguehi, is very popular with Ivorians.
Ziguehi brand image
A symbol of strength, power and respect, the image of the ziguehi has been used more than once in advertising. The famous Ivorian beer brand Bock ‘the strong man’s drink’ has a ziguehi, named after Zeus Darius, as its mascot. Very recently, following the national team’s third victory in the African Cup of Nations, the Ivorian Football Federation launched a new advertising campaign. The Ivorian federation released a three-star supporter jersey bearing the name of the ziguehi elephant, quite a symbol.
Conclusion
The legacy of the Ziguehis continues to be felt today, and they are regarded as pioneers of Ivorian urban culture. Initially street warriors, they made a lasting mark on the history of Côte d’Ivoire.
