The sacred monkeys of the sacred forest of Gbepleu, region of Man west of the Ivory Coast

At the entrance to the village of Gbepleu (founding village of the city of Man), one is attracted by the particular agitation and shouting. On these hundred-year-old trees, the guests of this forest are having fun and bickering. At the approach of a visitor or of any person, they run up all joyful at the same time fearful, asking for a banana or any other delicacy: are they monkeys or ancestors of the village of Gbepleu?
Several legends reported by the villagers give a human origin to these monkeys. However, the most recurrent one tells that the market of Man was located a short distance from this forest before being relocated later. In the past, an old woman who strangely possessed a tail came to sell bananas at the market. This woman had the power to turn men into monkeys and vice versa. At that time, during the raids of the armies of Samory Touré in Man, the said woman would have transformed the able-bodied arms of the village in order to protect them from the torments of the latter which was feared by all. Samory Touré, who found no valid arms on the spot, murdered the good woman. Hence the impossibility of bringing the monkeys back to the human state. They remained monkeys for good. That's why they are considered inhabitants of the village on the same level as humans.
Another legend says that "Gue nou leu", daughter of the chief, was sacrificed by her father on a Friday, market day, which in Yacouba is called "Man lohi". This great chief of Gbepleu, who was also chief of the Dan land, is said to have invited his daughter to accompany him to the sacred forest for a great sacrifice. In the forest, he invited his daughter to settle on a mat, which covered a huge ditch that he had dug before. While trying to sit down, she fell into the hole. And it was the sacrifice of this pure girl that would have contributed to the fame of the city Man. Since this sacrifice, the villagers of Gbepleu have decided to feed and protect the monkeys of this consecrated forest as the revenants of the one who was sacrificed. Remember that it was only after the girl's sacrifice that the monkeys appeared to the villagers of Gbepleu.
Inside the sacred forest of Gbepleu is still the tomb of the sacrificed virgin, which now serves as an altar for the patriarchs and other initiates of the village. Hence the sacredness of this forest which shelters them. A forest that no stranger should enter.
Also, no one must hunt these monkeys, which are fed by the people of Man, and by visitors. If it happens that one is killed by clumsiness (the forest is by the roadside), it is imperative that it be reported to the village chief so that sacrifices can be made. Otherwise, the perpetrator would suffer a fatal accident within hours.
Rest assured, these mysterious monkeys that will come to you during your visit are docile and playful, especially if you bring them bananas. True acrobats, they are ready to let go of their branches for a meal they won't hesitate to snatch from your hands. They are so adorable and beautiful that you will find it hard to part with them.

[@desiresinga3376]

Je très fière de ma région

[@zoeluciegbey9711]

Merci de nous faire voir les singes génial que c'est beau.

[@MultiBabylia]

Ils sont trop mignon !
De belles captures !

[@willysmoke8556]

l'Afrique est un continent mystérieux

[@1_minute2rap_africa64]

❤️❤️❤️🇨🇮❤️❤️❤️

[@alvinejohnson5009]

L’accès au parc est gratuit ?

[@tanoukoffi]

Oui c'est gratuit officiellement mais vous pouvez au moins mettre 1000frcfa au cas ou les enfants du village vous quémandent un peu de sous vu qu'ils nettoie la zone.
Surtout apportez la papaye ou banane pour les singes , ils sont très adorables , et pas du tout agressif.