A Twin To Know: Discover This African Beauty
COTE D'IVOIRE
Yamoussoukro … just the name itself sounds like you need to stick a pin on it. Not many recommended taking the time to day trip here, but I think it’s a superstar that ought to be more famous and flocked to. Although I had the rare privilege of walking the halls and salons of the Presidential home in the administrative capital of Cote d’Ivoire, these riches were hard to behold on the heels of Qatari opulence.
Africa my love, when will you ride the tide to exemplify the glory within you?
Perhaps it was this recent juxtaposition that left me more wistful and wishful for the continent’s contentment and progress. Alors/alas, my sojourns en Francais (as much as I could fumble through anyhow!) began as I headed to the Foundation for Peace Research.
The real star of the show though, was the next stop: the largest Basilica Basilica in the world. Loa was our spirited tour guide who was obviously passionate about the building and, for expanding his lexicon in other languages. While I was fortunate that his English was robust, the nearby Chinese visitor was surprised by his handful of Mandarin phrases – et voila, worlds come together just in our small attempts to befriend another’s tongue, tales and trajectories.
In fact, let’s think about how many tiny tries can we toy with today to tantalize the other into tango-ing with us? For there are treasure troves tucked away in each of us … waiting to be imbibed.
As my ears acclimatized to an Ivorian and Chinese man conversing in Mandarin, my eyes were sipping in the sites of such a splendour situated in West Africa. Given his advanced age, the Our Lady of Peace Basilica was built in a hurry by the first President of Côte d'Ivoire, Félix Houphouët-Boigny, in his home town. The 24/7 construction took 1200 workers three years and Felix enjoyed three years weekly use until his death at 88. Imported materials from Spain, France and Portugal were used by a Lebanese born resident architect whose plan included a circular opening to represent a warm welcome to the space.
Aerial views will show the building to replicate a cross while features within the walls demonstrate artistic talents worthy of prime time. The ~30 meters from the ground to the first floor seemed taller than the distance from the second floor to the dome, which actually doubled it. The wingspan of the dove drawn in the central dome is said to span seven meters though from our vantage point, it seemed no more than one. With over 8400 square meters of stained glass and capacity for 18k people, it’s no wonder that it was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest church.
The play of perspectives was a scientific and philosophical treat to experience, especially with Loa who served as a professional photographer taking my phone to demonstrate one delightful detail after the next behind the lens.
In his spare time, he played around with photos from various views ‘to allow us to have the best and most unique experience’. I paused to check how often I do that in my own daily duties. Loa represented many of the Africans I’ve had the honour to meet, who’ve reminded me by example, of the opportunities we all have to bring this level of love to our work.
I wish I could have joined for mass. Specially to hear the Bose speakers reverberate amongst the congregation, I could see this being a play on the esoteric impacting the exoteric, as the speakers were all hidden within the massive columns. The thousands of tiny holes in the dome, cushioned seats and cemented crosses were intended to decrease echo and the learner in me was loving these small tactics that rippled into a wider experience for the worshipper, and visitor.
Upstairs, we saw replicas of how this Basilica compares with the Vatican.
Clearly, this is a twin to know – made from similar materials from its source, styles and ceremonies, its reputation barely exists compared to its Italian soul mate – why was this Basilica also not a headliner? I suppose the main difference follows the famous real estate saying – it all comes down to location, location, location.
Now in another place, I still fan together. Though here, I sat on plastic chair under a tin roof waving away the flies and wafting in the spicy aromas of chicken stew with the attieke (a local carb), grin (a goopy palm stew), galette (fried dumplings stuffed with fish), ginger juice (a knockout punch of antioxidant burning while bettering). I cheer between mouthfuls, now, body and soul are being fueled…
May we all take the time to get to know the wonders within and outside, even if only between the busy bites of our day to day lives,
Genial! J’adore la Basilique de la Côte d’Ivoire. C’est belle aussi comme le Vatican. Tu as de la chance de la voir!