On Saturday, March 14, 2026, what was meant to be a funeral tribute turned into a national day of mourning for the Manfla community. During a funeral ceremony held in Zuénoula, at the home of the tribal chief's secretary, an incident involving the appearance of the traditional Zamblé mask resulted in the death of a young man.

A fatal move during the Zambé dance

The atmosphere was one of solemnity and tradition when the Kohoufla-Manfla dance group made its entrance. According to accounts gathered on site, the tragedy was triggered by an act of carelessness.

1. The incident: A young man attempted to touch the Zamblé mask during a performance, an act strictly prohibited by ancestral laws.
2. The reaction: In an attempt to protect the sanctity of the mask, the supervisor pushed the intruder away. In the ensuing struggle, a violent collision occurred with Bénie Bi Irié Célestin , another member of the group. He collapsed instantly from the force of the impact.

Rescue and consequences

Although the civilian firefighters of Zuénoula responded swiftly to evacuate the victim to the hospital, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. Bénié Bi Irié Célestin was pronounced dead shortly afterward. His body was taken back to Manfla for the funeral, scheduled for early next week.

Note of solidarity: The organizing family, represented by Mr. Yassoua Zuenou Raymond, immediately went to the relatives of the deceased to express their moral support and participate in the costs related to this tragic loss.

A reminder to preserve traditions

This event serves as a painful reminder that mask performances in Ivory Coast are not mere entertainment, but codified rituals . Local authorities and traditional leaders reiterate the importance of vigilance and respect for prohibitions to prevent the celebration of culture from once again turning into tragedy.