Folk – Handicrafts of Guinea Bissau

True variety of ethnicity, shows itself in diverse ceremonies, behold the carnival and traditions, dancing vivaciously with folkloristic passion.

It’s worth visiting Guinea not only for its natural beauty, but also for its extremely rich variety of folklore, handicraft and traditions. Each ethnic group has different cultures and traditions, with has different forms for linguistic expressions, dance, music, handicraft.

Dance
Dance is truly a cultural expression, that changes deeply with the different ethnical groups. Animistic cultures have always expressed their feelings trough dances of great aesthetical quality, with colorful choreographies. They are not shows for tourists; dances are part of everyday local life during weddings, funerals, initiation ceremonies.

Music
Music is mainly an african one. There are rhythms from Cabo Verde and Western Africa mixed with the “zouk” from Antille. But the most common musical style is “gumbè”, city music typical of Guinea Bissau, born during the second world war.

Art
Sculpture is Guinean main form of art, varied in the different ethnical groups. The highest level is found in the art of Bijagòs islands. Many works draw their inspiration from the marine creatures like sharks and great predators that for centuries have populated the people’s culture. In these islands, art melts with magical and religious beliefs. The polychrome little statues’ quality is so high that attracts collectors of the entire world.

Another important section is related to overworldly life and produces works that represent the ancestors and allow to communicate with them. For this reason, the statues must be made following precise rules. One peculiar kind is the one that represents Iran, a traditional worshipped creature, half bird and half man, which protects whom who worships it and retaliates upon whom who despises it. There are also many ornaments used by dancers.

Handicraft
Coming from art and music, Guinea’s handicraft is rich of all kinds of traditions. Crafts are made utilizing many local resources: metal, stone, ceramics, shells, wood, bamboo, withe, fabric and others.

Gastronomy
The typical african cuisine in Guinea Bissau presents an interesting variety of menus. Among the ingredients you find mancara’s juice (peanut), palm oil, meat (pig, chicken and gazelle), rice and rice flour. And then, any kind of the freshest fish, grilled and provided by fishermen all over the coast, on the islands, and on all the many branches of the rios even inside on the continent. Sea shells, oisters and shrimps are excellent too.

You can also find typical dishes of near by countries, such as Cachupa from Cabo Verde or Yassa from Senegal, arranged following the Guinean taste.

With fruits gathered in Guinea Bissau are made very good juices: from Baobab (cabaceira), from cajù (anacard), from tambarina (tamarind). With the same fruits, and also with mango, are made marmelades. And flours of vegetable origin are used to make drinks and curative teas. Wine production is widespread; distillates are made from oil palm and caju, the last ones not always appreciated by Europeans.