Complete Timeline of Baoulé History

Use the filters to focus on one era. Early dates rest on oral tradition and vary by source; each entry links to the page that tells the story in detail.

1. 18th c.Origins

   Tradition: Queen Pokou leads a dissident Asante group west and crosses the Komoé river — the origin of the Baoulé (dates debated). → Queen Pokou

2. c. 1730Kingdom

   The Baoulé kingdom is founded, with Sakassou as its capital (the date varies by source). → The Kingdom & Sakassou

3. 18th c.Kingdom

   Queen Akwa Boni, Pokou's niece, extends the territory across the Bandama river (her reign is dated differently by different sources). → The Kingdom & Sakassou

4. 1891–1911Kingdom

   The French conquest of the Baoulé country. → Colonial Conquest & Resistance

5. Sept. 1893Colonial era

   First clashes between French forces and Blalè's Ngban. → Colonial Conquest & Resistance

6. 1899Colonial era

   Bouaké is founded as a French military post. → Baoulé Country: Regions & Towns

7. Sept. 1899Colonial era

   Kouadio Okou burns the Toumodi post after Delafosse has Lomo burned; revolt spreads, allied with Akafou of the N'gban. → Colonial Conquest & Resistance

8. 1899–1900Colonial era

   Baoulé revolt against the colonial administration; Maurice Delafosse is among the officers confronting it. → Colonial Conquest & Resistance

9. c. 1900–1910Colonial era

   The goli dance, of Wan origin, is adopted by the Baoulé. → Goli & Dance

10. 1902Colonial era

    The Nanafoué-Kpri blockade the Salékro post; Lieutenant Dessuze is killed. → Colonial Conquest & Resistance

11. 1908Colonial era

    Governor Angoulvant begins forced "pacification" and the total disarmament of the Baoulé. → Colonial Conquest & Resistance

12. July 1902Colonial era

    Blalè, "the man of iron", is killed. → Colonial Conquest & Resistance

13. c. 1911Colonial era

    End of the "Baoulé war" after the arrest of leaders such as Yao Djè (c. 1910). → Colonial Conquest & Resistance

14. 18 Oct. 1905Colonial era

    Félix Houphouët-Boigny is born in Yamoussoukro. → Notable Figures

15. 3 Sept. 1944Colonial era

    Houphouët-Boigny founds the African Agricultural Union (SAA) to defend African planters. → Notable Figures

16. 1945–1946Colonial era

    He is elected to the French parliament (1945) and co-founds the PDCI-RDA (1946). → Notable Figures

17. 7 Aug. 1960Modern era

    Côte d'Ivoire becomes independent; Houphouët-Boigny becomes president on 3 November 1960. → Notable Figures

18. 1969 – 1970sModern era

    The Kossou dam and population movements; one account links the rise of the Paquinou festival to them (the origins of Paquinou are debated). → Festivals & Rituals

19. March 1983Modern era

    Yamoussoukro becomes the political capital of Côte d'Ivoire. → Baoulé Country: Regions & Towns

20. 1984Modern era

    The Stade de la Paix is built in Bouaké. → Baoulé Country: Regions & Towns

21. 10 Sept. 1990Modern era

    The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro is consecrated by Pope John Paul II. → Baoulé Country: Regions & Towns

22. 7 Dec. 1993Modern era

    Houphouët-Boigny dies in Yamoussoukro; Henri Konan Bédié becomes president. → Notable Figures

23. 24 Dec. 1999Modern era

    A military coup ousts Bédié. → Notable Figures

24. 2002–2010Modern era

    Bouaké is held by rebel forces during the Ivorian civil conflict. → Baoulé Country: Regions & Towns

25. 28 Mar. 2019Modern era

    Ôtimi Kassi Anvo is enthroned at Sakassou as the 12th King of the Baoulé (according to several sources). → The Kingdom & Sakassou

26. 2021Modern era

    Census: Bouaké has about 740,000 inhabitants and Yamoussoukro 422,072. → Baoulé Country: Regions & Towns

27. 2023Modern era

    The OIPI grants the Baoulé pagne protected geographical indication (PGI) status. → The Baoulé Pagne

28. 2023Modern era

    Bouaké hosts matches of the Africa Cup of Nations; Henri Konan Bédié dies on 1 August. → Notable Figures