Lacina Dembele: My Hometown
Lacina talks about Cote d'Ivoire - the country where he was born - and how he got to Canada.
Audio (1:18)
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Lacina Dembele
Age:15
Community: Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Languages: French, English (understands
Djoula and Bambara but cannot speak them)
Hobbies: Music
Favorite artists: Douk Saga, reggae artist Tiken Jah , Alpha Blondy
Favorite cultural foods: Couscous, plantains, Okra sauce (la sauce gumbo)
Country/Culture Information
(from the 2008 CIA World Factbook)
Name: Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Population:18,013,409 (July 2007 est.)
Capital:Yamoussoukro note: although Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the commercial and administrative center; the US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan.
Languages: French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken
Area: 322,460 sq km
Economy - Exports commodities: Cocoa, coffee, timber, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, fish
Government: Republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 note: the government is currently operating under a power-sharing agreement mandated by international mediators
Flag of Cote d'Ivoire
CBC In Depth - Cote d'Ivoire
Lacina Dembele: My Culture
There are three things that make the country of Ivory Coast unique.
Audio (1:28)
Lacina has a passion for music. He writes and performs his own music with his band, Les D’s.
Audio (0:40)
Lacina Dembele: Bridging Cultures
Ivory Coast, like Canada, has an Aboriginal population.
Audio (0:52)
Lacina talks about his experiences with racism in Canada.
Audio (0:47)
Lacina Dembele: All About Me
The hardest thing I have to do every day, and where I see myself in the future.
Audio (1:32)