Duma people

The Adouma (or Duma) are an ethnic group of Gabon, in western Africa. They primarily live on the south bank of the upper Ogooué River, in the vicinity of Lastoursville (originally an Adouma village), and are known as expert canoeists or the boatmen.

Their traditions hold that they arrived from the east or southeast, coming down the Sebe River to the Ogowe, and thence to the Doumé rapids. They made canoes of Okoumé, and sold slaves to the Okandé, receiving European products such as guns and cloth in exchange. The Société du Haut-Ogooué (SHO) established a post at Lastoursville and engaged the Adouma in trade for rubber, ivory, and ebony.

During the 1970s and 1980s, many Adouma moved down the Ogowe, towards Port-Gentil.

References

• David E. Gardinier, Historical Dictionary of Gabon, 2nd ed. (The Scarecrow Press, 1994) pp. 34–35

Ethnic groups in Gabon Adyumba Baka Bakalai Bakoya Benga Beti-Pahuin Boungome Buissi Duma Kaningi Kele Kota Kwasio Hausa Kwele Lengue Fula Mbama Mpongwe Punu Shira Teke Tsogo