The French-orthography name of the annual festival of the Nzema (N'zima) of Côte d'Ivoire, held at Grand-Bassam in October–November and treated as the Nzema new year. Its central social function is public repentance and reconciliation: grievances, including criticism of leaders, may be voiced without fear of reprisal. Its ritual core has three stages: Siédou (seclusion of the drum), Gouazo (coming-out) and Ewudolé (the climax, with disguises).
At Grand-Bassam, the Abissa gives townspeople licence to criticise their leaders openly.