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The Gabonese people have forged since the independence of the country, in 1960, their own culture which is neither the traditional culture of the different ethnic groups which compose it, nor modern Western culture. It is a culture in movement, a mixture of diversity and common traits, bringing together the most diverse beliefs and practices.
Gabonese music is little-known in comparison with regional giants like theDemocratic Republic of the Congo andCameroon. The country boasts an array of folk styles, as well as pop stars likePatience Dabany andAnnie-Flore Batchiellilys, a Gabonese singer and renowned live performer.
Dabany's albums, though recorded in Los Angeles, have a distinctively Gabonese element and are popular throughout Francophone Africa. Other major musicians includePierre-Claver Akendengue (considered a master-poet), "the veteran" Mack Joss, Vickos Ekondo, known as "the king of Tandima".[citation needed]
Annie Flore has participated in musical events, both improvised and planned, with a wide variety of musicians from around the world, including:Youssou N'dour (Senegal),Ray Lema (DRC),Lokua Kanza (DRC), La Baronne (France),Carlo Rizzo (Italy), Cynthia Scott (USA), Mario Chenart (Canada), Solange Campagne (Canada), Philip Peris (Australia) andQiu-Xia-He (China).
Also known are guitarists likeGeorges Oyendze,La Rose Mbadou andSylvain Avara, and the singerOliver N'Goma. Imported rock and hip hop from the US and UK are popular in Gabon, as arerumba,makossa andsoukous. Gabonese folk instruments include theobala, thengombi,balafon and traditional drums.[citation needed]
A country with a primarilyoral tradition up until the spread ofliteracy in the 21st century, Gabon is rich infolklore andmythology. "Raconteurs" are currently working to keep traditions alive such as themvett among the Fangs and theingwala among the Nzebis.
Gabon also features internationally celebrated masks, such as then'goltang (Fang) and thereliquary figures of theKota. Each group has its own set of masks used for various reasons. They are mostly used in traditional ceremonies such as marriage, birth and funerals. Traditionalists mainly work with rare local woods and other precious materials.
