Pongoue

African people

Also known as: Mpongwe

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

The Mpongwe are an African people primarily found in Gabon, particularly around the estuary of the Gabon River. They are one of Gabon's approximately 40 distinct ethnic groups, most of whom speak Bantu languages.12

Historically, the Mpongwe played a significant role due to their coastal location and involvement in trade, including the slave trade, from the late 1500s until the mid-1800s. While French is the official language of Gabon, the Mpongwe language, a Bantu language, is spoken by members of this ethnic group.132

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African art
Gabon
…the Ogowe tribes, particularly the Mpongwe, is closely tied to death rituals. Their masks, painted white to symbolize death, represent dead female ancestors, though they are worn by male relatives of the deceased.
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…the Ogowe tribes, particularly the Mpongwe, is closely tied to death rituals. Their masks, painted white to symbolize death, represent dead female ancestors, though they are worn by male relatives of the deceased.
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Libreville
Pongoue (Mpongwe) people first settled the estuary after the 16th century, followed by the Fang, who had migrated south from the Cameroon area, in the 19th century. Fort-d’Aumale was built by the French in 1843 on the estuary’s north bank, and a Catholic mission was…
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Pongoue (Mpongwe) people first settled the estuary after the 16th century, followed by the Fang, who had migrated south from the Cameroon area, in the 19th century. Fort-d’Aumale was built by the French in 1843 on the estuary’s north bank, and a Catholic mission was…
Read More