Papel people
The Pepel ( different spelling Papel, plural Portuguese Pepeis, Papeis ) are an African ethnic group whose members are almost exclusively in the western part of the West African country of Guinea- Bissau in the region Biombo (immediately northwest of the capital ) are located. It contains around 140,000 members, of which about 4000 in other countries, especially in Senegal, live.
The most prominent representatives of this ethnic group is the former Guinea- Bissau President Joao Bernardo Vieira.
At the time of colonialism in Portuguese Guinea the real power of the Portuguese on the Pepel was relatively low until 1915, the Portuguese had even some Pepelgruppen pay tribute to pursue their activities in the region can Bissau.
Language and Culture
The Pepel have the same language, which belongs to the Bak - languages of the Atlantic -Congo language family.
The unique cultural and historical (ie ethno -genetic ) definition of Pepel to other ethnic groups is controversial; particularly to the culture and language of the Mandjaco there are more similarities than differences. Some authors even believe that the historical origin of the definition of certain ethnic groups as such was less in the desire of the locals to distinguish themselves among themselves, but rather in the desire of European colonists by Classification - probably for the sole purpose of administration of the colonized; that is, the ethnographic schemes have been defined by Europeans, even if cultural differences are real and there continue to exist.
Way of life
Your economy is diversified, in addition to agriculture (mainly rice) they raise cattle (cattle, pigs, goats ) and fishing. They are also known as skilled weavers of cloth, which they also serve as clothing.
Their political and social organization is characterized hierarchically. You live in extended families, consisting of several, often polygynous individual families whose residence is called in Kriol " Moransa " and those headed by a chief. The Moransas in turn are subject to local chiefs who are named in the Kriol language " Regulos " ( Latin for " little king "). After the marriage the wife takes typically in the Moransa of the husband, which is usually also that of his father, that they are patrilocal.
Religion
The Pepel are mostly Christians, but at the same time they are also animistic religious beliefs very close. Moreover, their ancestors ( ancestors) play a very important role for them, as with most sub - Sahrawi peoples of Africa. Thus, for example, After the Burial Ceremony " Toka Churchill ," which is up for several years celebrated a few months after the actual funeral service of a socially prestigious dead in its Moransa, one of the most important family and social events.
Swell
- Ethnicity in Africa
- Ethnic group in Guinea- Bissau