Abla Pokou
The founding queen, at the heart of the Komoé legend. See her page.
Akwa Boni
Pokou's niece and successor, she extended the territory beyond the Bandama and consolidated the kingdom. See The Kingdom & Sakassou.
Blalè (Akafou Boularé)
Chief of the Ngban of the South, nicknamed "the man of iron", born around 1833 and killed in July 1902: a major figure of resistance to the French conquest. See Colonial Conquest & Resistance.
Félix Houphouët-Boigny (1905–1993)
Born on 18 October 1905 in Yamoussoukro, he became a medical assistant (1925), then a planter and defender of African farmers' interests: he founded the African Agricultural Union on 3 September 1944. Elected to the French parliament in 1945, he co-founded the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire – African Democratic Rally in 1946 and held several ministerial posts in France between 1956 and 1961. He was President of Côte d'Ivoire from 3 November 1960 until his death in Yamoussoukro on 7 December 1993. His long rule is associated with strong growth based on cocoa and coffee, known as the "Ivorian miracle". He also made his home town the capital (1983) and had the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace built there.
Henri Konan Bédié (1934–2023)
Born on 5 May 1934 in Dadiékro and died in Abidjan on 1 August 2023, he succeeded Houphouët-Boigny and was president from December 1993 to December 1999, before being overthrown by a military coup on 24 December 1999. His presidency remains associated with the doctrine of "ivoirité", which supporters saw as strengthening cultural identity and opponents denounced as exclusionary. He returned to Côte d'Ivoire in 2001 and remained head of the PDCI.
baoule.ciHistorical figures of the Baoulé people on baoule.ci →Kouadio Okou
Ouarébo chief who burned the Toumodi post in September 1899 and raised the region. See the resistance.
Kouakoffi N'guessan, Yao Djè
The former, king of the Aïtou, organised uprisings during the Kong column; the latter fought on until his arrest around 1910.
Ôtimi Kassi Anvo
Enthroned at Sakassou on 28 March 2019 as 12th King of the Baoulé, according to several sources. See the kingdom.