Myene

Myene refers to an ethnic group and their language in Gabon, a country on the west coast of Central Africa. The Myene traditionally inhabit coastal and estuarine areas of Gabon, where rivers meet the sea, making fishing and riverine trade central to their way of life. They are part of the broader mosaic of Gabon's coastal populations.

The Myene language is a Bantu language of the Niger-Congo family, spoken by the Myene people. It has several dialects and is commonly learned alongside French, which is widely used in education and administration in Gabon.

Historically, Myene communities participated in regional trade networks and were affected by the broader social and economic changes on Gabon’s coast during the colonial era. Traditional cultural practices include music, dance, and crafts that reflect their coastal environment; social organization centers on families and kinship ties, with customary rites associated with life events.

Today, most Myene people live in Gabon, in both rural settlements and urban areas. The language remains a key marker of identity, while bilingualism in French is common. Efforts to document and preserve Myene language and culture accompany Gabon’s broader cultural heritage programs.