Figure 1.-- This French postcard from colonial Guinea shows two Bassari tribe teenagers. We don't know the relation between them. They could be a young married couple. They wear quite traditional clothing, although with cotton cloths. We can note some differences in the laces worn by the girl and by the boy. However the main difference is the footwear worn only by the boy.

Guinea is one of the Atlanic coast countries countries at the far west of West Africa. Is it off the coast of Guinea that the Atlantic begins to turn into the Gulf Guinea. The origins of the term Guinea is unclear as so many colonies and countries had Gunina in their name as well as naming the Bite of Africa the Gulf of Guinea. It might also be related to the Guyanas in South America. What ever the origins of the term, what became known as the Guinea Coast became the major source of slaves during the Altlantic slave trade (16th-19th centuries). The country is a border oddity in the Gulf of Guinea where the countries tend to be rectangularly shaped wih the costal areas extending straight into the interior. Guinea tends to occupy what might have been the interior areas of Sierra Leone and Liberia. The norther border is shared with Senegal and Mali. Much of the western border is with Côte d’Ivoire’s and here the economy has been adversely affected by the civil war. Much of the country is well watered. The headwaters of the Niger are in Guinea, unusual because most African rivers begin in the interior and flow to the coast. The Niger is one of Africa's great rivers. It begins relatively close to the coast and flows into the interior before changing course at the Niger Bend in Mali and then flowing to the coast. Guinea’s has some spectacular landscapes. Guinea has some of the world’s few remaining tropical dry forests. The rainforests in the south are lush with abundant wildlife. Substantial areas have not yet been surveyed by scietists. The Fouta Djalon Plateau in the west had impressive waterfalls and breathtaking scenery. Guinea was a French colony. It is one of the African countries that have not benefited from independence, in part because of the left-wing Socialist policies pursued by the government beginning with independence. The country despite bountiful agriculture is among the poorest in the world. There are about 25 tribal groups in Guinea. The three most important are the Fulani, Malinké, and Soussou. The Fulani (Peul) are the largest tribe, about 40 percent of the population and are concentrated in the Futa Jallon. The Malinké (Mandingo) are the second most important. The most important activity for children is of course school. Sports are very popular for the boys, especially soccer, but we also notice other sports like rugby.

Geography

Guinea is one of the Atlanic coast countries countries at the far west of West Africa. Is it off the coast of Guinea that the Atlantic begins to turn into the Gulf Guinea. The country is a border oddity in the Gulf of Guinea where the countries tend to be rectangularly shaped wih the costal areas extending straight into the interior. Guinea tends to occupy what might have been the interior areas of Sierra Leone and Liberia. The norther border is shared with Senegal and Mali. Much of the western border is with Côte d’Ivoire’s and here the economy has been adversely affected by the civil war. Much of the country is well watered. The headwaters of the Niger are in Guinea, unusual because most African rivers begin in the interior and flow to the coast. The Niger is one of Africa's great rivers. It begins relatively close to the coast and flows into the interior before changing course at the Niger Bend in Mali and then flowing to the coast. Guinea’s has some spectacular landscapes. Guinea has some of the world’s few remaining tropical dry forests. The rainforests in the south are lush with abundant wildlife. Substantial areas have not yet been surveyed by scietists. The Fouta Djalon Plateau in the west had impressive waterfalls and breathtaking scenery. Guinea is coastal country, but is not well endowed with beaches, but tourist experts report that that those it has are superb. They are often empty because Guina has not proven welcoming to touridsts. The capital Conarky also attracts few tourists, promoters report that the cpital has a vibrant nightlife and is safer than most other West African capitals.

Terminology

The origins of the term Guinea is unclear as so many colonies and countries had Gunina in their name as well as naming the Bite of Africa the Gulf of Guinea. It might also be related to the Guyanas in South America.

History

Guinea in West Africa is dominated by the Niger River, one of the continent's great rivers. This made what is now Guinea an important trade cross roads. Archaeologists have found evidence of stone tools in Guinea that appear to hsve been made by peoples originting in the Sahara. They specualte that they were driven south as a result of desiccation (2000 BC) Agriculture developed along the coast (1000 (AD). Rice was the staple crop. (Slave owners in coastal South Carolina would later take advantage of this technology.) Several African empires controlled the area of modern Guinea or at least influeced it (10-15th centuries). Much of Upper Guinea was within the cultural area of the medievl Ghana Empire. The northern half of Guinea was within the subsequent Mali and Songhai empires. The Portuguese were the first to reach the area (mid-15th century). Guinea Bissau became a Portuguese colony. It was the French who began to dominate in Guinea proper (17th century). What ever the origins of the term, what became known as the Guinea Coast became the major source of slaves during the Altlantic slave trade (16th-19th centuries). The French made Guinea a formal colony (1845). The French named it French Guinea (1893). The French after World War II formed the Federation of French West Africa which included Guinea. The members of the Federation rejected membership in the Fifth French Republic (1958). As a result, political ties with France and the other ederatin members were dissolved. Guinea declared independence. Sekou Toure became the country's first president. He led Guinea until his death (1984). General Lansana Conti led a military government which seized power. Conti was elected president (1993 and 1995). Guinea held its first multi-party elections. Conti's Unity Progress party won 71 of 114 seats in the legislature. Conti was succeeded by Sidia Toure (1996).

Economy

It is one of the African countries that have not benefited from independence, in part because of the left-wing Socialist policies pursued by the government beginning with independence. The country despite bountiful agriculture is among the poorest in the world.

Ethnicity

There are about 25 tribal groups in Guinea. The three most important are the Fulani, Malinké, and Soussou. The Fulani (Peul) are the largest tribe, about 35 percent of the population and are concentrated in the Futa Jallon highlands region. Fouta Djallon is located roughly in the center of the country. he indigenous name in the Pular language is Fuuta Jaloo, originating from the Fula word for the region and the name of the original inhabitants, the Yalunka or Jalonke, a Mande people related to the Susu. The Malinké (Mandingo) are the second most important (about 30 percent) inhabiting the savanna of Upper Guinea and the Forest region. The Soussou (Susus) are a smaller group (about 20 percent). Their language Susu is commonly spoken in the coastal areas, including the capital, Conakry. Westerners thus sometimes refer to it as a lengua franca, but it is not eidely understood in the interior. . The percentages are estimates and various sources differ. Smaller groups, mostly from the Forest Region, includ the Bassari, Coniagui, Guerze, Kissi, Kono, and Toma. Bagas (including Landoumas), and Koniagis are found in the coastal area. Rather than reducing tribal loyalties and tension as Guinea became a new nation, tribal conflit has increased since independence. Each of Guinea’s first three leaders, all dictastors, pursued policies of delivering posts and contracts to members of their own ethnic group and directging investment and infrastruvctire in their own home region. And while these leaders became unpopular, they gained popularity in the areas they favored which still lingets to this day. Captain Dadis was a particulrly brutal man and dictstor. He was of the small Guerze tribe from the Forest Region and continues to be beloved there for improving better roads, social services, and electricity during his brief reign. And even vandidates in the country's first democratic elections also exploited the ethnic divide. Fulani presidential candidate, Cellou Dalein Diallo, won nearly 45 percent f the vote in the first round, The next closest opponent, the Malinké candidate Alpha Condé, won less than 20 prcent. Critics of President Condé chsrge thast he rigged the final vote as he won a narrow majority. His election slogans and the importance of ethnic-based voting, suggest that Condé’s victory resulted from uniting the other ethnic groups against the Fulani.

Activities

The most important activity for children is of course school. Sports are very popular for the boys, especially soccer, but we also notice other sports like rugby.

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Created: 4:35 PM 8/31/2016
Last updated: 4:35 PM 8/31/2016