Côte d’Ivoire Toy Car

This toy car was made by a boy of about 10 years old in Ouassou, Côte d’Ivoire, in the late 1990s.  Cars like this one are made by youths in many parts of Africa using whatever materials are available, such as the sandal soles cut to make the wheels on this car.  The toy car is in the shape of Peugeot minivan, likely modeled after one of the many used vehicles shipped to Côte d’Ivoire to serve as “bush taxis.”  These vehicles stop to pick up passengers as they make circuits through major cities, or as they cruise the roadways between rural towns.  This object is on exhibit in our new student-curated permanent exhibit, Childhood: Exploring Youth Culture Around the World.  Anthropology student Maeghan Livingston researched this object for the exhibit.  The accompanying photos, taken by former MOA curator, Beverlye Hancock, show the toy being made and used in Côte d’Ivoire.