WOLEU-NTEM PROVINCE

Carte Woleu Ntem - Gabon

County town: Oyem

Population : 154 986 hab

Density : 4 hab./km2

Area : 38 465 km2

Woleu Ntem Province owes its name to two rivers that cross it : the Woleu and the Ntem ; and its capital is Oyem. The equatorial forest occupies most of the territory of this region. It is produced in the region : hevea (enabling the permanent production of rubber), coffee and cocoa. The food crops (banana, cassava, taro…) and hunting in the bush still provide much of the food to the local people. There are also iron ore and gold.

History and Culture

Isolated in the equatorial forest, far from the coast and the first colonial settlements, the Fangs of the Woleu-Ntem ended up being in direct contact contacts with the traders and European explorers only by the end of the 19th century. Though they easily agreed to establish commercial relationships, the Fangs were quite hostile toEuropean penetration. Their country was arbitrarily split between France (Gabon), Germany (Cameroon) and Spain(Equatorial Guinea) in the early 1900s. The Franco-German rivalry led to several redistributions of borders between Gabon and Cameroon.

The region of Woleu Ntem was officially created in 1907. The first colonial administrator, Weber created the colonial posts of Oyem, Bitam and Minvoul in order to ensure the French people presence. A fang brother hood, known as the Binzima opposed itself. Some thought this was a simple movement of looters but to others, it was an act of resistance to colonization ; yet, this brought together willingly or by force thousands of Fangs. Rallied villages were initiated,while those collaborating with the French people were looted.Oyone Mintsa from Nkodje clan, and Ekome Adza from Odzip clan,were the leaders of the Binzima, based upon the archives of the historical service of the AEF, the Navy troops.

Village - Gabon

France was forced to cede Woleu-Ntem to Germany in 1912, following the Franco-German bargaining on Morocco. The region was involved inWorld War I. Fightings took place in 1914-1915 and Woleu-Ntem became permanently attached to Gabon. The war, the French occupation, mandatory taxes to pay and forced labour were the cause of several years of famine which reduced significantly the population.

Local Ethnic groups

The Geography

The equatorial forest occupies most of the territory of this region

Covering a total area of 38 465 km² (making 14.4% of the national territory), Woleu-Ntem province is covered with old secondary forests characterized by species such as Okoumé (Okoumeaklaineana pierre), (Padouk) ( Pterocarpussoyauxii), Moabi (Baillonellatoxisperma), the Kevazingo (Guibourtiatessmanii, g. pellegrimana), Bilinga (Naucleadiderrichii),( Movingui) (Distemonanthusbenthamianus) and secondary forests in zones of plantations, in the populated areas, along rivers and along the lines of communication. The province has two national parks: the National Park of Minkébé (in between Woleu-Ntem and Ogooué-Ivindo) and that of Mont de Cristal (in between Woleu-Ntem and Estuary).

The relief of the province can be described as hilly with an altitude that descends rarely below 500 m. In fact, between the slope North-East of Mont de Cristal which rises to 800 m in the West, the mountains of Kokomeguel (900 m) at the Congolese border , and the Minkébé (937 m) mountain, in the East of the Woleu-Ntem, the average altitude of the main urban centres is around 600 m (Minvoul 660 m, Oyem 653m, Médouneu 656 m, Bitam 608 m and Mitzic 580 m). However, the plateau collapses in the South of the Province, in the Valley of the Okano and thus in Lalara, the altitude are is no longer than 287 meters.

The wildlife

One of the richest region in Gabon

Woleu-Ntem is full of exceptional biodiversity including the Begonia. Indeed, on the 121 species found in Africa, Gabon has 50, including 16 in the National Park of Mont de Cristal.Under this exuberant vegetation, we find a very varied and rich wildlife especially in the Minkébé national park which has a large population of elephants and has the distinction of being one of the most intact forest in the world.

The province is covered mostly by a dense and humid Ever green forest. However, in the inhabited areas, along the lines of communication, there is the presence of plantations, Shrub lands and secondary forests. Woleu-Ntem is one of the richest areas of Gabon in fauna, flora and the forest. Indeed,with the Minkébé area formed by a primary and equatorial forest that covers the province, there are sixteen (16) species of primates, a high density of elephants and a big iron ore field. This forest is classified as an exceptional area, hence, at the national level, it has been selected to become a national park.

Particularities

The Mimbeng Memorial

On the edge of forest, not far from the track, in the vicinity of Mitzic can be found a small cemetery: the memorial of Mimbeng, a memory of the war of 14-18. The French and the Germans fought for this piece of territory: the Woleu-Ntem which was part of Cameroon, was then called ‘ the new Cameroon ‘. On the other side of the road, below in the vegetation, are eaten away by the forest some broken cars and tanks of that period. Based on the names written on the plaques, the majority of people buried there were Senegalese infantrymen.”

The site of Mimbeng has been a classified historical monument. Gabon and France erected a memorial on the site of the battle, in September 2007.

Tourism in Woleu-Ntem

A fast-developping tourism activity

Despite a strong capacity of hotel structures established in the province (close to 500 rooms) and important tourist sites, tourism remains a few developed economic activity. In terms of hotels, the Mvet Palace, located in Oyem, remains the reference host institution in the province

The sites that the tourist can quickly visit are Mekock Me Kwa cavities located in the village of Aguang (6 km of Oyem),Mont Koum (32 Km of Oyem) on the axis Oyem and Bitam,with a large cross overlooking its heights, planted by Protestant missionaries in the 19th century.

There is also the Mount Salem (60 Km) on the road of Libreville-Mimbeng where a clash between French and Germans took place during the First World War. You can also visit the Mebane Endama cavities located 60 Km from the provincial capital of Woleu-Ntem.
Crossing Afane Nkoh village, reminds you the war when the Germans and the villagers fought ; and in the forest of the same name, you can meet wild animals (Panthers, gorillas,elephants,…).


NOT TO MISS OUT

Several parishes exist there :

  • Parish St. Thérèse of Angone in Oyem ;
  • Sainte-Thérèse is the mother parish, it is the origin of the evangelization of all towns in Woleu-Ntem.

Sainte-Thérèse Parish is Located at 5 km north of the town of Oyem on the road to Bitam. It was founded in 1929 by Father Joseph Bouchaud. Other builders of the diocese may be mentioned here. This is the case of the fathers Eloi Mayor, Eugène Gauthier, brothers of the Congregation of the brothers of Saint Gabriel, Thibault to the garage and workshop, Flavien nicknamed “Adaba” Inspector of schools and founder of the current ESC of Angone, fatherYves Sockeel,. founder of the seminary saint Kisito, the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, mother Maria Pia,sisters of Saint – Marie, of Abbots John the Baptist Adiwa,which will base the Sacred Heart parish in Bitam, Cyriaque Obamba which will be first Gabonese Bishop of the Diocese of Mouila.
The fathers and the Abbots work with the valuable help of a remarkable team of catechists coming from Booue and Moyen-Ogooué.

Today, the parish of Sainte-Thérèse is well developed: it has very numerous annexes in the Department, combined into basic ecclesial communities. The others that took advantage and for their extension are St.Kisito Seminary, the C.C.C(supplementary catechetical courses) for the training of catechists from the diocese and in addition of building a nursery.
The Abbot Joseph Mintsa is the first native priest of theparish.

Eglise

Mvett: an immaterial patrimony of Woleu-Ntem

Ethnie Bitwi au Gabon

The art of the Mvett encompasses all aspects of culture Fang,be it poetry, philosophy, and scientific knowledge of theworld, which brings the Fang people to assert that Mvett is a complete art.