2470 GUINEA - Achiote (Bixa orellana)

Achiote (Bixa orellana) is a shrub originating from the tropical region of the Americas, but it has spread to many parts of the world. It is grown easily and quickly in frost-free regions, from sub-tropical to tropical climates, and sheltered from cool winds. It prefers year-round moisture, good drainage, and moderately fertile soil in full sun or partial shade. It is a tall shrub to small evergreen tree 6-10m high. It bears clusters of 5cm bright white to pink flowers, resembling single wild roses, appearing at the tips of the branches.

2257 GUINEA (Kankan) - The Great Mosque in Kankan

Founded by the Mandinka people in the 17th century on the Milo River in eastern Guinea, Kankan became an important trading centre, particularly for kola nuts, and the capital of the Baté Empire. In 1881 the town was conquered by Samory Touré, and in 1891 was occupied by the French. Often called the second city of Guinea, it boasts the second largest public university in the country, and one of the oldest mosques in West Africa, the Great Mosque, built in 1770 by Bemba Alpha Kabine Kaba.

2239 GUINEA (Faranah) - Tinkisso dam and waterfall

Dabola, the gateway to Upper Guinea, is a peaceful town, lined with mango trees and framed by hills. At 8km west of town is Tinkisso dam, which supplies electricity to the region. There’s a popular picnic area at the bottom of the dam and, across the stream, there’s a beach and a small waterfall. Tinkisso River is sourced near Dabola in the Fouta Djallon mountain range, and snakes 400km until it runs into the River Niger at Siguiri.

1453 GUINEA (Faranah) - Kissi woman with a djabara

 

Kissi people live in Guinea (420,000), Liberia (176,000) and Sierra Leone (125,000), speak a Niger–Congo language, and are well known for making baskets and weaving on vertical looms, although are primarily farmers. In past times they were also famous for their iron working skills, the Kissi smiths producing the famous Kissi penny, an iron money widely used in West and even Central Africa. They live in small, self-governing villages that are tucked inside groves of mango or kola trees. Each village is compact, containing no more than about 150 people. Although they have converted to Christianity, most of them continue to practice their traditional ethnic religion. Ancestor worship or praying to deceased relatives is a common practice among the Kissi.