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Gabon
Gabon
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Customs and Culture
Customs and Culture
Cultural Attributes
Gabon's cultural identity is shaped by the convergence of more than 40 distinct ethnic groups, each contributing unique traditions, languages, and artistic expressions to the national fabric. The Fang people of the north constitute the largest single ethnic group, while the Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou, and Eschira peoples, among others, contribute to a rich mosaic of traditions across the country's provinces. Traditional music and dance occupy a central place in Gabonese cultural life. The mbira, a thumb piano-like instrument, and the ngombi, a harp used in spiritual ceremonies, are among the instruments that accompany rituals and communal gatherings. The Bwiti spiritual practice, observed primarily by the Fang and Mitsogo peoples, is one of the most distinctive cultural expressions in Gabon. Incorporating the use of iboga, a psychoactive plant derived from the Tabernanthe iboga shrub, Bwiti ceremonies involve elaborate multi-day rituals of music, dance, and visionary experience aimed at spiritual initiation and healing. UNESCO recognized Bwiti as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022. French remains the official language and the primary medium of education, government, and formal commerce, a legacy of French colonial rule that lasted from the mid-19th century until independence in 1960. However, Fang, Punu, and other Bantu languages are widely spoken in homes and communities throughout the country. Christianity is the predominant religion, practiced by roughly 80 percent of the population, with Roman Catholicism being especially widespread due to the influence of French missionaries. Traditional animist beliefs are frequently observed alongside Christian practice, reflecting a syncretic approach to spirituality common across Central Africa. Oral tradition remains a vital cultural institution. Griots and community elders serve as living repositories of history, genealogy, and moral teaching, passing knowledge from generation to generation through storytelling and song. Carved wooden masks and sculptures, particularly those associated with the Fang and Kota peoples, are internationally recognized and have influenced modernist art movements in Europe since the early 20th century.
Land of the Equatorial Forest
Get More Customs and Culture
5 more cultural topics for members
Social Customs & Etiquette · Diet · Family · Dating Customs · Recreation
Holidays
Founding of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG)
3/12Independence
Dates of Interest
- March 12th
How do people greet each other in Gabon?
Greetings between strangers are reserved, typically a quick handshake on formal occasions, while friends greet each other with kisses on the cheek.
Do
- Use a quick handshake with strangers in formal situations
- Exchange cheek kisses with friends
Good to know
- French is the official language, though many local Bantu languages like Fang and Punu are spoken at home
- Among older people, men and women tend to socialize in separate groups
What are the dining customs in Gabon?
Manioc root and plantains are the staple foods, and the largest meal is eaten in the middle of the day, with leftovers often served in the evening.
Good to know
- Meats can include monkey, pangolin, and gazelle
- Rural households often keep chickens
- Expect the main meal at midday
What should I wear in Gabon?
Western-style clothing is common in urban areas, while the traditional garment is the boubou, a knee- or floor-length top.
Good to know
- Men wear the boubou loose-fitting with matching pants
- Women pair the boubou with a double-wrapped pagne, a colorful strip of African cloth
- Women in cities wear modern dresses and skirts in traditional African colors
What is family life like in Gabon?
Families tend to be large, with women often having five or more children.
What do people do for fun in Gabon?
Soccer is the national sport, and the most common form of entertainment is visiting with family and friends.
Good to know
- Checkers is a popular game, often played with pieces made from items like bottle caps
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports
Photos of Gabon
Photos of Gabon
Travel and Tourism
Travel and Tourism
- Travel Alert Status
- Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Time Difference
- UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- Climate
- The climate is hot and humid during most of the year and is typically equatorial. High temperatures range from 75°F to 82°F in the dry seasons and from 86°F to 93°F in the rainy seasons. Four distinguishable seasons are evident, although they vary somewhat each year: the long dry season from late May until mid-September; the short rainy season from mid-September until mid-December; the short dry season from mid-December through January; and the long rainy season from February until late May. Rainfall in Libreville is about 115 inches a year (the U.S. average is about 40 inches); the largest amounts fall in October, November, March, and April. The humidity is always high. The summer months, as in the southern hemisphere, are the coolest time of the year.
- Airports
- 56
Read the full travel guide — health, safety, vaccinations, disease risk, sanitation, and transit details.
View full travel guideRecipes
Recipes
History
History
Historical Eras
Pre-European Bantu Era
1300 – 1470
Over the course of several centuries, Bantu-speaking peoples migrated into the dense equatorial forests of present-day Gabon from multiple directions, establishing distinct ethnic communities including the Fang, Mpongwe, and Myene peoples. Though written records are scarce, tribal art and oral traditions attest to rich cultural and spiritual heritages. These societies developed complex trade networks and governance structures long before European contact.
European Contact & Slave Trade
1470 – 1839
Portuguese traders arriving around 1470 gave the region its name, derived from 'gabão,' referencing the shape of the Komo River estuary. Dutch, British, and French traders followed in the 16th century, and the Gabonese coast became a significant node in the Atlantic slave trade. European commercial and missionary interests gradually intensified, laying the groundwork for formal colonial claims.
French Protectorate & Colonization
1839 – 1960
France formalized its presence through treaties with Mpongwe coastal chiefs in 1839 and 1841, and founded Libreville in 1849 after freeing captives from a seized slave ship. Explorers such as Savorgnan de Brazza pushed into the interior between 1862 and 1887, and France fully occupied Gabon by 1885. In 1910 Gabon was incorporated into French Equatorial Africa, remaining under French administration until independence.
First Republic & M'Ba Years
1960 – 1967
Gabon achieved independence on August 17, 1960, with Léon M'Ba emerging as the country's first president under a new presidential system established in 1961. Political consolidation proved turbulent: in February 1964 the military briefly overthrew M'Ba, though French troops restored him to power within a day. Elections continued under a dominant single-party trajectory, and a constitutional revision in 1966 set the stage for Vice President Omar Bongo's automatic succession.
Bongo One-Party State
1967 – 1991
Omar Bongo assumed the presidency upon M'Ba's death in 1967 and in 1968 dissolved all parties to create the single-party Parti Démocratique Gabonais (PDG), which he used to suppress regional and ethnic rivalries while consolidating personal power. Oil revenues from the 1970s boom transformed Gabon into one of sub-Saharan Africa's more prosperous economies, funding infrastructure and social programs. Bongo was re-elected in 1975, 1979, and 1986, governing with few meaningful political checks.
Multiparty & Modern Gabon
1991 – present
Popular pressure and strikes compelled Bongo to introduce a new multiparty constitution in 1991, though elections were repeatedly marred by low turnout and allegations of fraud, leaving the PDG dominant. Gabon leveraged its oil wealth and a small population to maintain relative stability, signing major export deals such as the 2004 Total-China oil agreement. The death of Omar Bongo in 2009 and a subsequent coup in 2023 led by his son Ali Bongo's ouster marked the country's continuing struggle to define its post-authoritarian political identity.
Overview
During the last seven centuries, Bantu ethnic groups arrived in the area from several directions to escape enemies or find new land. Little is known of tribal life before European contact, but tribal art suggests rich cultural heritages. Gabon’s first European visitors were Portuguese traders who arrived in the 15th century and named the country after the Portuguese word "gabao," a coat with sleeve and hood resembling the shape of the Komo River estuary.
Timeline of Key Events
1470
Portuguese arrive in what is now Gabon.
Portuguese arrive in what is now Gabon.
1839
Local Mpongwe ruler signs away sovereignty to the French.
Local Mpongwe ruler signs away sovereignty to the French.
1910
Gabon becomes part of French Equatorial Africa.
Gabon becomes part of French Equatorial Africa.
1960
Gabon becomes independent.
Gabon becomes independent.
1991
Parliament adopts a new constitution that formalizes the multi-party system.
Parliament adopts a new constitution that formalizes the multi-party system.
2004
French oil firm Total signs deal to export Gabonese oil to China.
French oil firm Total signs deal to export Gabonese oil to China. Agreement signed with Chinese company to exploit around one billion tonnes of iron ore.
2006
Gabon and Equatorial Guinea agree to start talks over disputed islands.
Gabon and Equatorial Guinea agree to start talks over disputed islands in potentially oil-rich waters in the Gulf of Guinea.
Read the full history profile — narrative overview, defining eras, and the complete timeline in one place.
View expanded historyInteresting Facts
Interesting Facts
Gabon gained independence from France 17 August 1960.
Gabon gained independence from France 17 August 1960.
See every fact — trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits gathered from across the country.
View all interesting factsGeography and Environment
Geography and Environment
- Terrain
- narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south
- Climate
- The climate is hot and humid during most of the year and is typically equatorial. High temperatures range from 75°F to 82°F in the dry seasons and from 86°F to 93°F in the rainy seasons. Four distinguishable seasons are evident, although they vary somewhat each year: the long dry season from late May until mid-September; the short rainy season from mid-September until mid-December; the short dry season from mid-December through January; and the long rainy season from February until late May. Rainfall in Libreville is about 115 inches a year (the U.S. average is about 40 inches); the largest amounts fall in October, November, March, and April. The humidity is always high. The summer months, as in the southern hemisphere, are the coolest time of the year.
- Natural Hazards
- NA
- Current Environmental Issues
- deforestation; poaching
Read the full geography and environment profile — terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, land use, and international agreements.
View full geographyPeople & Demographics
People & Demographics
Religion
Languages Spoken
French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
- French
Population
- Population
- 2,341,179
- Population in Major Urban Areas
- LIBREVILLE (capital) 686,000
- Nationality Noun
- Gabonese (singular and plural)
- Ethnic Groups
- Bantu tribes including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Bapounou, Nzebi, Obamba), other Africans and Europeans 154,000, including 10,700 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationality
Education
- Literacy Definition
- Age 15 and over can read and write
Health Information
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- Life expectancy at birth in Gabon stands at approximately 67 to 68 years for the overall population, with women typically outliving men by several years. Female life expectancy hovers around 69 to 70 years, while male life expectancy trails at roughly 65 to 66 years. These figures place Gabon in a moderately favorable position relative to many of its Central African neighbors, though the country still lags behind global averages and the standards seen in higher-income nations. Gabon's life expectancy has shown meaningful improvement over recent decades, rising steadily from the much lower figures recorded in the 1960s and 1970s. This progress is attributed to several factors, including increased access to healthcare services in urban centers, improvements in maternal and child health programs, and greater availability of antiretroviral therapy for those living with HIV/AIDS — a condition that has historically placed a significant burden on the country's health indicators. Despite this progress, substantial challenges remain. Gabon's healthcare infrastructure is unevenly distributed, with residents in the capital, Libreville, and other major cities enjoying considerably better access to medical facilities than those in rural and forested interior regions. Malaria remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and premature death, particularly among children under five years of age. Respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and complications from childbirth also contribute to mortality rates that temper overall life expectancy figures. Gabon's status as an upper-middle-income country — driven largely by its oil revenues — has enabled the government to invest in public health infrastructure at a level not possible for many of its regional peers. However, economic inequality means that the benefits of this wealth are not uniformly felt across the population. The country has also experienced a gradual epidemiological transition, with non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and certain cancers becoming increasingly prominent contributors to adult mortality as the population ages and urbanization expands. Continued investment in rural healthcare access, disease prevention, and maternal health services will be critical in sustaining and improving life expectancy trends in the years ahead.
- Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
- Very high
- Infant Mortality Rate
- Gabon's infant mortality rate has declined significantly over recent decades, reflecting improvements in healthcare access and public health infrastructure across the Central African nation. As of the most recent data, Gabon's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 32 to 34 deaths per 1,000 live births. While this figure represents meaningful progress compared to rates exceeding 70 per 1,000 live births recorded in the early 1990s, it remains considerably higher than the global average of around 28 per 1,000 live births and well above rates seen in high-income countries, where figures often fall below 5 per 1,000. The primary causes of infant mortality in Gabon include malaria, respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and complications arising from preterm birth. Neonatal mortality — deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life — accounts for a substantial portion of these losses, often linked to limited access to skilled birth attendants in rural and remote regions of the country. Geographic disparity plays a notable role in outcomes. Urban centers such as Libreville and Port-Gentil generally have better access to hospitals, trained medical personnel, and essential medicines compared to interior and forested regions, where healthcare facilities may be sparse or difficult to reach. This urban-rural gap continues to challenge health planners working to reduce infant deaths nationwide. Gabon's relatively higher income status among sub-Saharan African nations — owing largely to its oil revenues — has enabled greater investment in health services than many neighboring countries. The government has pursued vaccination campaigns, maternal and child health programs, and partnerships with international organizations to address child survival. Despite these efforts, systemic challenges including healthcare workforce shortages, infrastructure gaps, and inequitable distribution of resources continue to limit further reductions in the infant mortality rate. International organizations continue to work with Gabon's Ministry of Health to strengthen neonatal care, improve nutrition programs, and expand access to preventive health services, all of which are critical to pushing infant mortality rates lower in the years ahead.
Life Expectancy
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- Life expectancy at birth in Gabon stands at approximately 67 to 68 years for the overall population, with women typically outliving men by several years. Female life expectancy hovers around 69 to 70 years, while male life expectancy trails at roughly 65 to 66 years. These figures place Gabon in a moderately favorable position relative to many of its Central African neighbors, though the country still lags behind global averages and the standards seen in higher-income nations. Gabon's life expectancy has shown meaningful improvement over recent decades, rising steadily from the much lower figures recorded in the 1960s and 1970s. This progress is attributed to several factors, including increased access to healthcare services in urban centers, improvements in maternal and child health programs, and greater availability of antiretroviral therapy for those living with HIV/AIDS — a condition that has historically placed a significant burden on the country's health indicators. Despite this progress, substantial challenges remain. Gabon's healthcare infrastructure is unevenly distributed, with residents in the capital, Libreville, and other major cities enjoying considerably better access to medical facilities than those in rural and forested interior regions. Malaria remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and premature death, particularly among children under five years of age. Respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and complications from childbirth also contribute to mortality rates that temper overall life expectancy figures. Gabon's status as an upper-middle-income country — driven largely by its oil revenues — has enabled the government to invest in public health infrastructure at a level not possible for many of its regional peers. However, economic inequality means that the benefits of this wealth are not uniformly felt across the population. The country has also experienced a gradual epidemiological transition, with non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and certain cancers becoming increasingly prominent contributors to adult mortality as the population ages and urbanization expands. Continued investment in rural healthcare access, disease prevention, and maternal health services will be critical in sustaining and improving life expectancy trends in the years ahead.
- Infant Mortality Rate
- Gabon's infant mortality rate has declined significantly over recent decades, reflecting improvements in healthcare access and public health infrastructure across the Central African nation. As of the most recent data, Gabon's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 32 to 34 deaths per 1,000 live births. While this figure represents meaningful progress compared to rates exceeding 70 per 1,000 live births recorded in the early 1990s, it remains considerably higher than the global average of around 28 per 1,000 live births and well above rates seen in high-income countries, where figures often fall below 5 per 1,000. The primary causes of infant mortality in Gabon include malaria, respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and complications arising from preterm birth. Neonatal mortality — deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life — accounts for a substantial portion of these losses, often linked to limited access to skilled birth attendants in rural and remote regions of the country. Geographic disparity plays a notable role in outcomes. Urban centers such as Libreville and Port-Gentil generally have better access to hospitals, trained medical personnel, and essential medicines compared to interior and forested regions, where healthcare facilities may be sparse or difficult to reach. This urban-rural gap continues to challenge health planners working to reduce infant deaths nationwide. Gabon's relatively higher income status among sub-Saharan African nations — owing largely to its oil revenues — has enabled greater investment in health services than many neighboring countries. The government has pursued vaccination campaigns, maternal and child health programs, and partnerships with international organizations to address child survival. Despite these efforts, systemic challenges including healthcare workforce shortages, infrastructure gaps, and inequitable distribution of resources continue to limit further reductions in the infant mortality rate. International organizations continue to work with Gabon's Ministry of Health to strengthen neonatal care, improve nutrition programs, and expand access to preventive health services, all of which are critical to pushing infant mortality rates lower in the years ahead.
Read the full people and society profile — demographics, health, education, religion, languages, and notable people.
View full people and societyGovernment & Politics
Government & Politics
Country Identity
- Country Name
- Gabon
- Full Country Name
- Gabonese Republic
- Local - Long
- Republique Gabonaise
- Local - Short
- Gabon
Government Structure
- Government Type
- republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties legalized in 1990)
- Legal System
- based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
- Executive Branch
- chief of state: President Brice Clotaire OLIGUI NGUEMA (since 30 August 2023, following a military coup that ousted President Ali BONGO Ondimba) head of government: Prime Minister Raymond NDONG SIMA (since 7 September 2023) cabinet: Transitional Council of Ministers appointed by the president following the dissolution of previous governmental structures after the August 2023 coup elections: Prior to the coup, the president was elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; the most recent presidential election was held on 26 August 2023, the results of which were disputed and led directly to the military intervention; future electoral arrangements are to be determined during the ongoing transitional period election results: The August 2023 election was annulled following the coup; the military-led Transition Committee for the Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) subsequently appointed Oligui Nguema as transitional president, suspending the constitution and dissolving existing governmental institutions
- Legislative Branch
- Following a military coup in August 2023 that ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba and dissolved the country's institutions, Gabon's legislative framework was suspended. The transitional military government, known as the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), dissolved both chambers of parliament and assumed executive and legislative authority. Prior to the coup, Gabon operated under a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate (102 seats; members elected by members of municipal councils and departmental assemblies to serve six-year terms) and the National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (143 seats; members elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms). The dominant party across both chambers was the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), which had maintained political dominance since the era of Omar Bongo. The last National Assembly elections before the coup were held in August 2023, the results of which were annulled following the military takeover. The transitional authorities subsequently announced plans for a national dialogue and a return to civilian constitutional rule, including the drafting of a new constitution. A constitutional referendum was held in November 2024, approved by voters, which laid the groundwork for a transitional civilian government. Legislative elections are expected to follow as part of the broader transition roadmap, though firm dates have not yet been confirmed.
- Judicial Branch
- Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consisting of three chambers - Judicial, Administrative, and Accounts; Constitutional Court; Courts of Appeal; Court of State Security; County Courts
- Suffrage
- 21 years of age; universal
- Constitution
- adopted 14 March 1991
- Independence
- 17 August 1960 (from France)
- National Holiday
- Founding of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), 12 March (1968)
Capital City
- Capital Name
- Libreville
- Capital - geographic coordinate
- 0 23 N, 9 27 E
- Capital Time Difference
- UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Original site settled by freed slaves and the name means "free town" in French; named in imitation of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone
Military
Branches: Gabonese Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Gabonaise): Land Force (Force Terrestre), Gabonese Navy (Marine Gabonaise), Gabonese Air Forces (Forces Aerienne Gabonaises, FAG)
Embassy / Diplomatic Mission
U.S. Embassy Libreville
BP 4000
Sabliere Neighborhood
Libreville, Gabon
Telephone: 241-01-45-71-00
Emergency after-hours telephone: 241-07-38-01-71
Facsimile: 241-01-45-71-05
Email: LibrevilleACS@state.gov
Read the full government profile — flag symbolism, national anthem, and other national symbols.
View full government detailsEconomy
Economy
Gabon enjoys a per capita income several times that of most sub-Saharan African nations, placing it among the region's upper-middle-income countries. Despite this relative wealth, high income inequality means a significant portion of the population—roughly one-third—lives in poverty.
Snapshot
- Currency Name and Code
- CFA Franc BEAC (XAF)
- GDP — official exchange rate
- $6,697,000,000 (USD)
- GDP Real Growth Rate
- 3.1%
News & Weather
News & Weather
Current Weather
Latest News
Africa’s Highest Yielder Tops Debt Returns as Investors Turn Bullish - Bloomberg.com
Bloomberg.com · 7h ago
Vaalco Energy Advances Offshore Gabon Drilling Campaign With New Gas Well - Egypt Oil & Gas
Egypt Oil & Gas · 8h ago
French Prosecutors Seek Trial for BNP Paribas in Case Against Late Gabon Leader's Family - Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project | OCCRP
Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project | OCCRP · 2d ago
VAALCO Energy, Inc. Provides Operational Update for Ongoing Drilling Program in Offshore Gabon - GlobeNewswire
GlobeNewswire · 14h ago
What Gabon’s rating downgrade tells us about how sovereign credit worthiness is judged - theconversation.com
theconversation.com · 2d ago
Vaalco moves rig to new SEENT slot after ETBNM-3 success - drillingcontractor.org
drillingcontractor.org · 5h ago
VAALCO Energy Reports Successful ETBNM-3 Gas Well and Advances ETSEM-3PH Drilling Program in Offshore Gabon - Quiver Quantitative
Quiver Quantitative · 13h ago
Gabon's revised budget puts new IMF deal at risk, investors say - Reuters
Reuters · 15d ago
News via Google News
Climate Overview
The climate is hot and humid during most of the year and is typically equatorial. High temperatures range from 75°F to 82°F in the dry seasons and from 86°F to 93°F in the rainy seasons. Four distinguishable seasons are evident, although they vary somewhat each year: the long dry season from late May until mid-September; the short rainy season from mid-September until mid-December; the short dry season from mid-December through January; and the long rainy season from February until late May. Rainfall in Libreville is about 115 inches a year (the U.S. average is about 40 inches); the largest amounts fall in October, November, March, and April. The humidity is always high. The summer months, as in the southern hemisphere, are the coolest time of the year.
Videos
Videos
1 curated YouTube videos.
Source: YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Gabon?
How do people greet each other in Gabon?
What are the dining customs in Gabon?
What should I wear in Gabon?
What is family life like in Gabon?
What do people do for fun in Gabon?
What is the capital of Gabon?
Where is Gabon located?
What countries border Gabon?
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Last reviewed 2026