Orango

{{About|an island off the African coast|unfinished opera by Shostakovich|Orango (opera)}}

{{Infobox Islands

| name = Orango

| image_name = Map of the sectors of the Bolama Region, Guinea-Bissau.png

| image_caption = Orango in the Uno Sector

| image_size =

| locator_map =

| map_custom =

| native_name = Orango

| native_name_link = Bidyogo language

| nickname =

| location = Atlantic Ocean

| coordinates = {{Coord|11.12|-16.13|display=inline}}

| archipelago = Bijagós Archipelago

| area_km2 = 272.5

| length_km = 22.5

| width_km = 22.5

| highest_mount =

| elevation_m =

| country = Guinea-Bissau

| country_admin_divisions_title = Region

| country_admin_divisions = Bolama

|population_as_of = 2009

|population_footnotes =

|population = 1,250

| density_km2 =

| additional_info =

}}

Orango is one of the Bijagós Islands, located {{convert|60|km|nmi|abbr=off|round=5}}[https://archive.today/20070328112400/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/01/africa/AF-GEN-Guinea-Bissau-Ladies-Choice.php Women, not men, choose spouses on African isle - International Herald Tribune] off the coast of mainland Guinea-Bissau. At {{convert|272.5|km2|sqmi|frac=8|abbr=on}}, it is the largest island in the archipelago.[http://islands.unep.ch/IPR.htm#593 Orango] in the Catalogue of Islands at UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) - accessed 16 November 2018 The island has a population of 1,250 (2009 census); the largest village is Eticoga.[http://www.stat-guinebissau.com/publicacao/RGPH_2009.pdf População por região, sector e localidades por sexo censo 2009], Instituto Nacional de Estatística Guiné-Bissau With the neighbouring islands Imbone, Canongo, Meneque and Orangozinho, it forms the Orango National Park. It belongs to the Uno Sector.

Orango is known for its saltwater hippopotamuses.[http://www.lonelyplanet.com/guinea-bissau/arquipelago-dos-bijagos/orango-islands-national-park Orango Islands National Park] It was the seat of Okinka Pampa until her death in 1930.{{cite book|author1=Peter Karibe Mendy|author2=Lobban Jr.|title=Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NbJ8AQAAQBAJ|date=17 October 2013|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-8027-6}}

Matrimonial traditions

Orango's inhabitants developed a number of distinct matrimonial traditions which are unique with respect to the role played by women.According to anthropologist Christine Henry, a researcher at France's CNRS. Marriage is formally proposed by women — their choice of spouse is made public to the groom-to-be and the rest of the community by an offer of a dish of specially prepared fish, marinated in red palm oil. According to tradition, the offer is accepted by eating the fish, and cannot be turned down without dishonor. The marriage becomes official months later, after the bride-to-be, with no help from the groom, builds the couple a new home out of driftwood, blond grass, and mud bricks.

In recent years, the island's traditions are competing with outside influences, both economic and religious. Men increasingly travel to the mainland to work, bringing back the mainland's trappings and ideas. Men and women have adopted religious practices introduced by Protestant missionaries, which have also reduced the influences of the island's matrimonial traditions.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

References and footnotes

External links

[http://espalharte.blogspot.com/2009/04/ilha-de-orango-grande-arquipelago-dos.html Blog with pictures (2009)] {{in lang|pt}}

Category:Bolama region

Category:Bissagos Islands