The Eshira people are a Bantu ethnic group of Gabon primarily living in the forests and grasslands south of the Ogowe River and west of its tributary the N'Gounié. Bantu may refer to Bantu expansion, a series of migrations of Bantu speakers Bantu languages Bantu people Gabon (gəˈbɒn or /gaˈbõ/ in French) is a country in west central Africa sharing borders with Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Republic The Ogooué (or Ogowe) some 1200km long is the principal River of Gabon in west central Africa.
The Eshira migrated into the area sometime in the 18th century, after wars with the Bakele and other groups. The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system During the 19th century they traded slaves with the Nkomi, and were highly regarded for their tobacco and raphia cloth. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar As a social-economic system slavery is a legal institution under which a Person (called "a slave" is compelled to work for another Tobacco is an Agricultural product recognized as an addictive drug processed from the fresh Leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. Their numbers were greatly reduced by smallpox epidemics in 1865 and 1898. Smallpox is an Infectious disease unique to humans caused by either of two virus variants named Variola major and Variola minor. Year 1865 ( MDCCCLXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Year 1898 ( MDCCCXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common
Paul du Chaillu travelled through Eshira areas in 1858 and 1864, and recorded that each clan controlled its own affairs. Paul Belloni du Chaillu ( July 31, 1835 &ndash April 29, 1903) was a French-American traveler and Anthropologist. Year 1858 ( MDCCCLVIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Year 1864 ( MDCCCLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year Mulenda of the Kamba clan was the most important of the chiefs; he owned 300-400 slaves, and died of smallpox in 1885. Year 1885 ( MDCCCLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Holy Ghost Fathers established a mission in 1895. For other Congregations of the Holy Ghost see Congregation of the Holy Ghost. Year 1895 ( MDCCCXCV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year
Subgroups of the Eshira include the Bapounou. The Bapounou (or Pounou) are one of the four major peoples of Gabon, inhabiting interior mountain and grassland areas in the southwest of the country around the upper
References
- David E. Gardinier, Historical Dictionary of Gabon, 2nd ed. (The Scarecrow Press, 1994) p. 132