fbpx
Wikipedia

Bissagos Islands

The Bissagos Islands, also spelled Bijagós (Portuguese: Arquipélago dos Bijagós), are a group of about 88 islands and islets located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Guinea-Bissau.[2] The archipelago was formed from the ancient delta of the Geba and Grande de Buba rivers and spans an area of 12,958 km2 (5,003 sq mi). 20 of its islands are populated year-round, including the most populated island, Bubaque, where the administrative capital is situated.

Designations
Official nameArchipel Bolama-Bijagós
Designated14 January 2014
Reference no.2198[1]
Map of Guinea Bissau with the Bissagos Islands
Ramsar Site

There is a high diversity of ecosystems: mangroves with intertidal zones, palm forests, dry and semi-dry forests, secondary and degraded forests, coastal savanna, sand banks and aquatic zones. The archipelago was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1996.

Demographics Edit

The population is estimated at about 30,000 (2006) and the ethnic group Bissago (Portuguese: Bijagó) predominates. It has a relatively youthful population due to high birth rates and low life expectancy.[citation needed]

Economy Edit

The economy is largely rural, with many families living from subsistence farming and fishing. There is some tourist activity, mostly boat charters from neighboring Senegal. Lack of infrastructure and communication links prevent the development of the islands' tourism potential.[citation needed] Starting in the early 2000s, several of the islands began to be used as transit depots for narcotraffic,[3] which is quickly changing the social and economic fabric of the islands.

History Edit

In pre-European colonial times, the islands were central to the trade along the coast of West Africa and they built up a powerful navy. In 1532, King Joao III of Portugal ceded a nominal right to the islands to his brother Luis, Duke of Beja as well as generous trading rights. In 1535, Dom Luis sent a force to conquer the islands, but the islanders' strong navy destroyed it, leaving few survivors.[4] For years afterwards the Bissagos refused to trade with the Portuguese and treated any shipwrecked sailors harshly, until relations were restored around 1550.[5] The Bissago islanders then became important providers of slaves to the Portuguese, putting aside inter-island rivalries to raid the mainland.[6]

In 1849, with the people of the Bissagos still fiercely independent, the British and French mounted a joint expedition to 'pacify' the islands, but they were repulsed. The Portuguese tried several times to put down 'tax revolts' in the islands in the early 20th century but largely failed.[7] The islands were not formally annexed by Portugal until 1936.[8][9]

The Bissagos were visited by Austrian anthropologist and photographer Hugo Bernatzik in 1930–1931, who documented daily life among the Bidyogo people.[10]

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is conducting research into infectious diseases on the islands. Because they are so isolated there is less danger of contamination of the results than in other places.[11]

Culture Edit

Due to difficulties of communication with mainland Guinea-Bissau that persist to this day, the population has a considerable degree of autonomy and has shielded its ancestral culture from outside influence. The Bijago language is spoken along with Portuguese and creole.

Some authors argue that Bijago culture tends to be matriarchal, with women managing the household, the economy, law, as well as initiating courtship (women choose their husbands and terminate the matrimony).[12] Other sources dispute this and suggest that closer examination has revealed a fundamentally patriarchal society where women, in spite of their substantial participation in material production and important roles in social, political, and religious matter, remain essentially unequal to men.[13] A 2016 study suggested that female status in Bijagos society was diminished during the slave trade era but has become more valued again in more recent times.[14]

In 2012, a study by Bissau-Guinean sociologist Boaventura Santy examined the social representations of the people of the island of Formosa Bijagó about possible threats from climate change. The study concluded that for "the Bijagó the natural and the social are inextricably linked, to the extent that a crisis in the social system would have negative effects" on the natural system.[15] In particular, it was the lack of harmony between the community, ancestors and the supernatural world that was seen as causing environmental dissonance.[16]

Art Edit

The Bissagos peoples produce many artifacts for daily use and ritual following a traditional iconography that is unique to their culture, and shows variations from island to island. Among the most striking Bidyogo art pieces are the portable ancestor shrines ("iran") and the zoomorphic masks representing cows ("vaca-bruta"), sharks, stingrays and, occasionally, other local animals. Traditionally-decorated artifacts are also produced for "fanado" coming-of-age ceremonies (wood masks, spears, shields, headgear, bracelets), daily activities (fishing, agriculture) and personal use (stools, basketry, foodware). Its unique aesthetics make Bidyogo art easily distinctive from other African tribal arts.

Notable people Edit

See also Edit

References Edit

  1. ^ "Archipel Bolama-Bijagós". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Focus - Guinea-Bissau's Bijagos Islands: A sanctuary of biodiversity under threat". 10 September 2021.
  3. ^ Guiné-Bissau: Arquipélago dos Bijagós utilizado como depósito dos narcotraficantes – Governo, Agência Lusa, Visão magazine
  4. ^ Stallibrass 1889, pp. 595.
  5. ^ Rodney 1966, pp. 139.
  6. ^ Rodney 1966, pp. 205.
  7. ^ Peter Karibe Mendy; Richard A. Lobban Jr. (2013). Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau (4th ed.). Scarecrow Press. p. 29. ISBN 978-0-8108-8027-6.
  8. ^ Thornton, John (1998). Africa and Africans in the Making of the Atlantic World, 1400–1800. Paris: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781139643382. Retrieved 2015-01-26.
  9. ^ Henry, Christine (1994). Les îles où dansent les enfants défunts. Âge, sexe et pouvoir chez les Bijogo de Guinée-Bissau (in French). Paris: Les Editions de la MSH. pp. 66–68. ISBN 9782735116829. Retrieved 2015-01-26.
  10. ^ Geheimnisvolle Inselntropen Afrikas: Frauenstaat und Mutterrecht der Bidyogo; ein Forschungsbericht 1933
  11. ^ "Could these beautiful islands help stop killer diseases?". BBC. 14 November 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  12. ^ Guinea, Borders, and G. M. T. Time. "Guinea-Bissau." CABO 25.17 (2014): 17.
  13. ^ Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, 2013, page 51
  14. ^ Lundy, B., Fernandes Jr, R. M., & Lartley, K. (2016). The Integrity of Women in Re-making a Nation: The Case of Guinea-Bissau. Journal of Global Initiatives: Policy, Pedagogy, Perspective, 11(1), 4.
  15. ^ Santy, B. R. V. H. (2012). As representações sociais das mudanças do clima e suas implicações no processo de territorialização: Os Bijagós da ilha de Formosa, Guiné-Bissau.
  16. ^ Nuny, Yasmina. "HOW TO SOLVE CLIMATE CHANGE, ACCORDING TO THE BIJAGÓS OF GUINEA-BISSAU". Retrieved 13 January 2021.

Sources Edit

  • "Bijagós Islands." Encyclopædia Britannica
  • An article about the land and the people of Bijagós Archipelago
  • Rodney, Walter (May 1966). A History of the Upper Guinea Coast, 1545-1800 (PDF) (Thesis). ProQuest.
  • Stallibrass, Edward (1889). "The Bijouga or Bissagos Islands, West Africa". Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society and Monthly Record of Geography. Royal Geographical Society. 11 (10): 595–601. doi:10.2307/1801045. JSTOR 1801045.
  • TVEDTEN, Inge The Difficult Transition from Subsistence to Commercial Fishing. The Case of the Bijagbs of Guinea-Bissau. Pages 129 to 130 In VAN GINKEL, Rob and VERRIPS, Jojada (editors) MAST (Maritime Anthropological Studies) Vol. 3, No. 1 1990 Krips Repro, Meppel, The Netherlands.

External links Edit

  • Saving Paradise: Bissagos Archipelago

11°15′N 16°05′W / 11.250°N 16.083°W / 11.250; -16.083

bissagos, islands, this, article, includes, list, general, references, lacks, sufficient, corresponding, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, june, 2017, learn, when, remove, this, template, message, a. This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations June 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Bissagos Islands also spelled Bijagos Portuguese Arquipelago dos Bijagos are a group of about 88 islands and islets located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Guinea Bissau 2 The archipelago was formed from the ancient delta of the Geba and Grande de Buba rivers and spans an area of 12 958 km2 5 003 sq mi 20 of its islands are populated year round including the most populated island Bubaque where the administrative capital is situated DesignationsRamsar WetlandOfficial nameArchipel Bolama BijagosDesignated14 January 2014Reference no 2198 1 Map of Guinea Bissau with the Bissagos IslandsRamsar SiteThere is a high diversity of ecosystems mangroves with intertidal zones palm forests dry and semi dry forests secondary and degraded forests coastal savanna sand banks and aquatic zones The archipelago was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1996 Contents 1 Demographics 2 Economy 3 History 4 Culture 5 Art 6 Notable people 7 See also 8 References 8 1 Sources 9 External linksDemographics EditThe population is estimated at about 30 000 2006 and the ethnic group Bissago Portuguese Bijago predominates It has a relatively youthful population due to high birth rates and low life expectancy citation needed Economy EditThe economy is largely rural with many families living from subsistence farming and fishing There is some tourist activity mostly boat charters from neighboring Senegal Lack of infrastructure and communication links prevent the development of the islands tourism potential citation needed Starting in the early 2000s several of the islands began to be used as transit depots for narcotraffic 3 which is quickly changing the social and economic fabric of the islands History EditIn pre European colonial times the islands were central to the trade along the coast of West Africa and they built up a powerful navy In 1532 King Joao III of Portugal ceded a nominal right to the islands to his brother Luis Duke of Beja as well as generous trading rights In 1535 Dom Luis sent a force to conquer the islands but the islanders strong navy destroyed it leaving few survivors 4 For years afterwards the Bissagos refused to trade with the Portuguese and treated any shipwrecked sailors harshly until relations were restored around 1550 5 The Bissago islanders then became important providers of slaves to the Portuguese putting aside inter island rivalries to raid the mainland 6 In 1849 with the people of the Bissagos still fiercely independent the British and French mounted a joint expedition to pacify the islands but they were repulsed The Portuguese tried several times to put down tax revolts in the islands in the early 20th century but largely failed 7 The islands were not formally annexed by Portugal until 1936 8 9 The Bissagos were visited by Austrian anthropologist and photographer Hugo Bernatzik in 1930 1931 who documented daily life among the Bidyogo people 10 The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is conducting research into infectious diseases on the islands Because they are so isolated there is less danger of contamination of the results than in other places 11 Culture EditDue to difficulties of communication with mainland Guinea Bissau that persist to this day the population has a considerable degree of autonomy and has shielded its ancestral culture from outside influence The Bijago language is spoken along with Portuguese and creole Some authors argue that Bijago culture tends to be matriarchal with women managing the household the economy law as well as initiating courtship women choose their husbands and terminate the matrimony 12 Other sources dispute this and suggest that closer examination has revealed a fundamentally patriarchal society where women in spite of their substantial participation in material production and important roles in social political and religious matter remain essentially unequal to men 13 A 2016 study suggested that female status in Bijagos society was diminished during the slave trade era but has become more valued again in more recent times 14 In 2012 a study by Bissau Guinean sociologist Boaventura Santy examined the social representations of the people of the island of Formosa Bijago about possible threats from climate change The study concluded that for the Bijago the natural and the social are inextricably linked to the extent that a crisis in the social system would have negative effects on the natural system 15 In particular it was the lack of harmony between the community ancestors and the supernatural world that was seen as causing environmental dissonance 16 Art EditMain article Bijago art The Bissagos peoples produce many artifacts for daily use and ritual following a traditional iconography that is unique to their culture and shows variations from island to island Among the most striking Bidyogo art pieces are the portable ancestor shrines iran and the zoomorphic masks representing cows vaca bruta sharks stingrays and occasionally other local animals Traditionally decorated artifacts are also produced for fanado coming of age ceremonies wood masks spears shields headgear bracelets daily activities fishing agriculture and personal use stools basketry foodware Its unique aesthetics make Bidyogo art easily distinctive from other African tribal arts Notable people EditBenkos Bioho Former African king who was shipped to Cartagena Colombia during the slave trade but managed to escape and found the maroon village known as San Basilio de Palenque See also EditList of islands of Guinea Bissau Joao Vieira and Poilao Marine National ParkReferences Edit Archipel Bolama Bijagos Ramsar Sites Information Service Retrieved 25 April 2018 Focus Guinea Bissau s Bijagos Islands A sanctuary of biodiversity under threat 10 September 2021 Guine Bissau Arquipelago dos Bijagos utilizado como deposito dos narcotraficantes Governo Agencia Lusa Visao magazine Stallibrass 1889 pp 595 Rodney 1966 pp 139 Rodney 1966 pp 205 Peter Karibe Mendy Richard A Lobban Jr 2013 Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Guinea Bissau 4th ed Scarecrow Press p 29 ISBN 978 0 8108 8027 6 Thornton John 1998 Africa and Africans in the Making of the Atlantic World 1400 1800 Paris Cambridge University Press ISBN 9781139643382 Retrieved 2015 01 26 Henry Christine 1994 Les iles ou dansent les enfants defunts Age sexe et pouvoir chez les Bijogo de Guinee Bissau in French Paris Les Editions de la MSH pp 66 68 ISBN 9782735116829 Retrieved 2015 01 26 Geheimnisvolle Inselntropen Afrikas Frauenstaat und Mutterrecht der Bidyogo ein Forschungsbericht 1933 Could these beautiful islands help stop killer diseases BBC 14 November 2018 Retrieved 26 December 2018 Guinea Borders and G M T Time Guinea Bissau CABO 25 17 2014 17 Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Guinea Bissau 2013 page 51 Lundy B Fernandes Jr R M amp Lartley K 2016 The Integrity of Women in Re making a Nation The Case of Guinea Bissau Journal of Global Initiatives Policy Pedagogy Perspective 11 1 4 Santy B R V H 2012 As representacoes sociais das mudancas do clima e suas implicacoes no processo de territorializacao Os Bijagos da ilha de Formosa Guine Bissau Nuny Yasmina HOW TO SOLVE CLIMATE CHANGE ACCORDING TO THE BIJAGoS OF GUINEA BISSAU Retrieved 13 January 2021 Sources Edit Bijagos Islands Encyclopaedia Britannica An article about the land and the people of Bijagos Archipelago Rodney Walter May 1966 A History of the Upper Guinea Coast 1545 1800 PDF Thesis ProQuest Stallibrass Edward 1889 The Bijouga or Bissagos Islands West Africa Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society and Monthly Record of Geography Royal Geographical Society 11 10 595 601 doi 10 2307 1801045 JSTOR 1801045 TVEDTEN Inge The Difficult Transition from Subsistence to Commercial Fishing The Case of the Bijagbs of Guinea Bissau Pages 129 to 130 In VAN GINKEL Rob and VERRIPS Jojada editors MAST Maritime Anthropological Studies Vol 3 No 1 1990 Krips Repro Meppel The Netherlands External links EditSaving Paradise Bissagos Archipelago 11 15 N 16 05 W 11 250 N 16 083 W 11 250 16 083 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bissagos Islands amp oldid 1167460379, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.