 Baga women around Kamsar (2020) | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| ~45,000 - 80,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Guinea | |
| Languages | |
| Baga, Susu | |
| Religion | |
| Predominately: Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Landouma people, Nalou people, Temne people |
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The Baga are a West African ethnic group who live in the southern swampy lands of Guinea Atlantic coastline.[1] Traditionally animist through the pre-colonial times, they converted to Islam during the mid-eighteenth century under the influence of Muslim Mandé missionaries. Some continue to practice their traditional rituals.[2][3]
Typically rural and known for their agricultural successes, particularly with rice farming, the Baga people speak a language of the Atlantic branch of the Niger-Congo family.[1][2]
They are also known for their historic animist pieces of artwork. Known for their beauty and sophistication, these have been displayed and held at many major museums of the world. After independence, a totalitarian Marxist government took over Guinea in 1958. Its program of "demystification" lasted till 1984, destroying the traditional beliefs and ritual arts of the Baga people.[4][5]
- ^ a b Molefi Kete Asante; Ama Mazama (2009). Encyclopedia of African Religion. SAGE Publications. pp. 87–88. ISBN 978-1-4129-3636-1.
- ^ a b Baga people, Encyclopædia Britannica
- ^ Ramon Sarro (2008). Politics of Religious Change on the Upper Guinea Coast: Iconoclasm Done and Undone. Edinburgh University Press. pp. 27–29. ISBN 978-0-7486-3666-2.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
BloomBlair2009p130was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Francesco Pellizzi (2007). Anthropology and Aesthetics, res 51 spring 2007. Peabody Museum Press. pp. 87–89. ISBN 978-0-87365-775-4.