Talk:Mpongwe people

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From 1911EB, but likely needing independent verification from modern sources: "MPONGWE (PONGOS), a settled Bantu people of the Gabun, West Africa, constantly confused with the Mpangwe or Fang (q.v.). The Mpongwe, who call themselves Ayogo or the Wise, have a rich collection of national songs, myths and traditions, and the tribal elders know the Hidden Words, a kind of secret language of unknown origin. Their language, a Bantu dialect, has been the means of communication between the tribes of the interior and the Europeans. The family organization is intricate and very similar to the Roman patnia potestas; wives, children and slaves being all subservient to the father, who alone is really free. They practise the poison ordeal, and reverence vague and malignant spirits who require propitiation by offerings and ceremonies. The ghosts of the dead are especially feared." Stan 11:58, 1 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Article development[edit]

The article about the Mpongwé people of Gabon lacks the information to accurately represent this population. The English Wikipedia article does not include the current situation of this population in Gabon, whereas the French Wikipedia very briefly in one sentence mentions the mixed population, and how much of the population they make up today. The Wikipedia article should incorporate different headings for different aspects of the culture, such as language, history, current status etc. like the French Wikipedia Page does: (http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mpongwe_(peuple). In the sources I have read, the word Mpongwé has an accent over the last e. Is this really the case? If so, then the English and French Wikipedia page should update the spelling. AfricanCivLG (talk) 13:04, 5 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]

I agree that this article is in need of some work, I think more information like this about social history is certainly a step in the right direction. The sources are really useful as well. I'll add some headings to help direct and encourage future development. Also, it is not clear what their status is today? Behemothing (talk) 14:23, 8 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Relating to the issue of their status today -- some academic articles online seem to make an argument for the slow "vanishing" (whatever that may mean...) of the Mpongwe as a group at various times in the past and present, that should probably be addressed as well at some point.ThomasMannFan (talk) 18:25, 10 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]