Guinea Bissau, a melting pot of very diverse ethnicities

Among the dominant ethnic groups Mariana, who held the position of supervisor of the Orango Parque Hotel project for many years, highlights four: the balanta, the fula, the manjaco and the mandinga.

The balanta is the largest ethnic group in Guinea-Bissau, and about 30% of the population belongs to it. The name balanta means “those who resist”, evoking the tenacious and tireless spirit of its people. But above all, they are known as the owners of the land, thanks to the deep and respectful connection they maintain with nature and their ancestors. Prominent fishermen and farmers, it is in the lush rice fields of Guinea Bissau where the balanta soul resides.

Near the coast, in the regions occupied by mangroves, we find the manjaco people, who represent around 14% of the population of Guinea Bissau. The life of its inhabitants is closely linked to water and land, making its economy based mainly on agriculture and fishing. At the social level, they are distributed in matrilineal clans. Its universe is strongly influenced by animism, where nature spirits and ancestors play a vital role.

Although considered a minority ethnic group, the bijagó ethnic group is unique. This community stands out for its culture and for having socioeconomic practices different from those of the rest of the communities in the country.

Something very unique about them is matrilineality, a characteristic that defines both lineage and inheritance through women. At the core of bijagó society, women play a central role, controlling land and maintaining ownership of homes. This gives them substantial influence over economic and community decisions. Fishing and agricultural practices, essential to the local economy, are also carried out mostly by bijago women, who are also responsible for raising their children and taking care of the home.

At a cultural level, the bijagó people are recognized for their wide and rich variety of traditional ceremonies, which are interconnected with their close relationship with nature. They have a deep spiritual connection with the natural environment, which is reflected in their animist beliefs and in a series of rituals that mark the passage of time, seasons and stages of life.

When approaching the bijagó people and their culture, we must remember that they are not only passive recipients of their culture, but also active agents of resistance, adaptation and innovation. They have kept their traditions alive while facing the challenges of modernity, tourism and climate change, reaffirming the relevance and vitality of their culture.

In each of the groups that make up this ethnic melting pot of Guinea-Bissau we find stories of resilience, adaptation and unity. These communities, although distinct, coexist in a symphony of cultures that form the vibrant melody that is Guinea Bissau. Each ethnic group uniquely contributes its own melody, echoing the country’s rich heritage and diversity.

A visit to Guinea Bissau goes beyond a physical trip. It is an authentic adventure through time, and a magical journey full of stories with names and centuries-old customs that claim a present full of past.

The Guinea Bissau Carnival provides the opportunity to get closer to the country’s main ethnic groups through their traditions, as many of them participate in the capital’s parades. Dressed in their typical costumes and unique masks, they perform ancestral dances that speak of a people full of different sensitivities.

Check our website for the possibility of hiring an anthropological circuit, or even a specific one to attend the Guinea Bissau Carnival.