Culture

Gabonese music is little-known in comparison with other African countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Cameroon. However, the country boasts an array of folk styles, along with pop stars including Patience Dabany, whose music has a distinctively Gabonese element and is popular throughout Francophone Africa.

Gabonese folk instruments include the obala, the ngombi, balafon and traditional drums. Imported rock and hip hop from the US and UK are also popular in Gabon, as are rhumba, makossa and soukous.