The stone of Mbigou, remarkable sculptures
Pride of the local craft industry, the stone of Mbigou is extracted from several quarries in the vicinity of the village of Mbigou, hence its name, located about 800 km southeast of Libreville. The steatite, of its true name, is a very soft stone to the touch, composed mainly of talc. It is the same stone, called soapstone, used by the remarkable Eskimo sculptors. It is easy to work with and has a beautiful appearance in the finished object, but it breaks easily and requires some precautions when transporting it. Depending on the veins exploited, the colours of the stone vary from light grey to black; there are also pinkish, blue and green stones, with varying degrees of veining. In the past, soapstone was used to make utilitarian objects, such as pipe stoves, ointment pots and vases. Then, to meet the demand, sculptors began to reproduce a wide variety of creations, from statuettes and figurines to wall decorations, representing scenes of daily life. Today, everything can be represented and these creations can be found just about everywhere, including in the posh shops of Paris! However, on the markets of Libreville, many craftsmen cut similar limestone, while claiming the name. To fight against this scourge and against the sale of these works of art, the Ministry of Commerce announced in March 2021 the prohibition of the marketing of stone objects of Mbigou on the craft markets of Libreville. From now on, only the Cooperative of artisanal products of Mbigou (Coopam) has the exclusiveness of this sale. You will thus be sure of its origin and its quality, all at controlled prices.
The masks, unique pieces
The classical art of the peoples of tropical Africa needs no introduction. Whether in the Quai Branly Museum in Paris or the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the masterpieces of African sculpture have taken the place they deserve. By setting foot in Gabon, the visitor will find himself in a region that is among the most famous in this artistic universe. To mention only the most famous examples: Pounou masks, often feminine and strikingly naturalistic, are covered with a white layer of kaolin; Kwélé masks are characterized by a face with pure features inscribed in a heart-shaped frame; Ngil masks, of Fang origin, are elongated in shape with a bulging forehead marked by three scarifications; Batéké masks are in the form of a flat disk hollowed out with geometric motifs. The masks are worn during rites marking key moments in life. Together with dance and music, they serve to bring the community together in a quest for spiritual and natural harmony. In addition to its important place within the various Gabonese ethnic groups, the mask is also a beautiful object of wall decoration, appreciated for the wood used and the finesse of these sculptures. These figures being unique pieces, full of history and symbolism, the prices are however high. Moreover, the most expensive of them, a mask of Fang origin, was acquired for about 6 million euros! Don't worry, you will find much cheaper ones to display in your living room on the craft markets, but you will have to negotiate hard. Ask about the origin of the mask, to be sure of the authenticity of your purchase.
A gourmet basket
For a tasty souvenir of Gabon, you will find many local products in the markets and shops of Libreville. If you can't bring back fish or manioc, peanut paste is an excellent compromise. Less fatty and sweet than peanut butter, it is used to make Gabonese sauces that generally accompany chicken. It is sold on the Mont-Bouët market in Libreville at a very reasonable price. To find the exotic flavours of Gabon at breakfast, let yourself be tempted by the delicious homemade jams, with mango, pineapple or papaya, among other flavours. You will find the country's main brands, Les petits pots de l'Ogooué and Elokh, at the Duty Free, at the Relais at the airport and in other sales outlets. Finally, why not bring back a local wine? There is, of course, palm wine, which can be found without exception in every village, but which is not to everyone's taste. Or a Gabonese wine made by the only winemaker in the country, the Domaine du Village d'Assiani, in Haut-Ogooué. It is a wine (red, rosé and white) which defends itself well and whose notoriety is increased by its rarity. It is on sale at the property or, for example, at the Géant CKDO in Libreville.
Other gift ideas
In all the big markets, you can find fabrics of sumptuous colours and textures that will be perfect for making a loincloth. You can choose a pattern and have it cut to size for a modest price at a dressmaker's, or keep the fabric to make your own. In some shops, you can also find clothes and accessories in wax or other materials. When shopping, you can find raffia baskets, but you can't be sure that they are made by Gabonese hands. Indeed, most of them are imported from Mali or Cameroon. If you go to Mayumba, the women of the Vili ethnic group perpetuate the weaving of pandanus mats, a plant that grows in the swamps of the Banio lagoon. These large mats are decorated with cultural motifs of various meanings. They can be ordered on the spot or found on some markets in the south of the country. Rarer to find today, the wrought iron tools. This art of metalwork has been passed down in Bantu communities for many generations. The blacksmiths had a particular social role at the time. He was often a very rich and respected religious leader; his most beautiful weapons were decorated by him. Although the great art of metalwork has almost disappeared, there are some very beautiful tools used in ritual celebrations.
