The stone of Mbigou, remarkable sculptures
The pride of local craftsmanship, Mbigou stone is extracted from several quarries in the vicinity of the village of Mbigou, from which it takes its name, some 800 km southeast of Libreville. Steatite, as it is known, is a stone that is very soft to the touch, composed mainly of talc. It's the same stone, known as soapstone, used by the remarkable Eskimo sculptors. It's easy to work and has a beautiful appearance in the finished object, but it breaks easily and requires some care when transporting. Depending on the vein mined, the stone's colors vary from light gray 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 jars and vases. Then, to meet demand, sculptors began to reproduce a wide variety of objects, from statuettes and figurines to wall decorations depicting scenes from everyday life. Today, anything can be depicted, and these creations can be found just about anywhere, including the posh stores of Paris! However, on the markets of Libreville, many craftsmen cut similar limestone, while claiming the name. To combat this scourge and the sell-off of these handcrafted works, in March 2021 the Ministry of Commerce announced a ban on the sale of Mbigou stone objects on Libreville's craft markets. From now on, only the Coopérative de produits artisanaux de Mbigou (Coopam) has the exclusive right to sell them. This means you can be sure of the origin and quality of the products, all at controlled prices.
The masks, unique pieces
The classical art of tropical Africa needs no introduction. Whether at the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris or the Metropolitan Museum in New York, masterpieces of African sculpture have taken their rightful place. Set foot in Gabon, and you'll find yourself in one of the most famous regions of this artistic universe. Punu masks, often feminine and strikingly naturalistic, are covered with a white layer of kaolin; Kwele masks are characterized by a face with pure features set in a heart-shaped frame; Ngil masks, of Fang origin, are elongated in shape, with a rounded forehead marked by three scarifications; Bateke masks take the form of a flat disk hollowed out with geometric motifs. 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 their important place among Gabon's various ethnic groups, masks are also beautiful wall decorations, appreciated for the wood used and the finesse of the carvings. As these figures are unique pieces, steeped in history and symbolism, prices are high. In fact, the most expensive of them all, a mask of Fang origin, went for around 6 million euros! Don't worry, you'll find much cheaper ones to display in your living room, but you'll 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'll find plenty of local produce in Libreville's markets and stores. 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 at the Mont-Bouët market in Libreville, for a very reasonable price. For a taste of exotic Gabon at breakfast, try our delicious homemade jams made with mango, pineapple or papaya, among other flavors. You'll find the country's leading brands, Les petits pots de l'Ogooué and Elokh, at Duty Free, the airport Relais and other outlets. Finally, why not bring back a local wine? There's palm wine, of course, which can be found without exception in every village, but is not to everyone's taste. Or a Gabonese wine made by the country's only winemaker, Domaine du Village d'Assiani, in Haut-Ogooué. It's a wine (red, rosé and white) that stands up well and whose reputation is enhanced by its rarity. It is on sale at the estate or, for example, at Géant CKDO in Libreville.
Other gift ideas
Fabrics of sumptuous colors and textures are available in all the major markets, and are 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 creation. In some boutiques, you can also find clothes and accessories in wax or other materials. When shopping, you may find raffia baskets, but you can't be sure they're made by Gabonese hands. In fact, most are imported from Mali or Cameroon. If you head for Mayumba, the women of the Vili ethnic group perpetuate the weaving of pandanus mats, a plant that grows in the marshes of the Banio lagoon. These large mats are decorated with cultural motifs of various meanings. They can be ordered locally or found at a few markets in the south of the country. Rarer to find today are wrought-iron tools. This art of metallurgy has been handed down in Bantu communities for many generations. In those days, blacksmiths had a special social role. He was often a very wealthy and respected religious leader, whose most beautiful weapons were decorated by him. Although the great art of metallurgy has all but disappeared, there are some very fine tools used in ritual celebrations.
