Mpongwè
The Mpongwè are a Ethnie Gabon pertaining to the group Myènè.
They were already installed in the estuary of Gabon when the first Portuguese sailors arrived there at the 15th century. During several centuries, they were used as commercial intermediaries between the European merchants and the tribes of the interior, trafficker of the Ivoire but also of the Esclaves. Their relations with Europeans were sometimes tumultuous. Always, they endeavoured to dissuade them to come directly into contact with the other people of Gabon, so as to preserve their interests of brokers. The language of Mpongwè, the omyènè, was used a long time as language of communication in the west of Gabon.
It is with chiefs mpongwè, Denis Rapontchombo (called “king Denis”), Georges Rassondji, Louis Dowé, Quaben, Kringer, Glass, François Rèdembino, that the French signed treaties which enabled them to be established in the estuary of Gabon in the middle of the 19th century.
Having been more in liaison with Europeans, much of Mpongwè have blood Métis. Today, they constitute nothing any more but one of the components of the population of Libreville and the surroundings.
According to the classification of the Langues bantoues established by Malcolm Guthrie the mpongwè belongs to the group of the languages myènè (B10) and is coded B11a.
| Random links: | Italo Calvino | Las tarjetas hablan | Minquiers | Aime Anthuenis | Aquarian | Mr. Patate (toy) | Takako_Konishi |