World Travel Guide - Gabon - History & Government The earliest of the present inhabitants are the Pygmies; from AD 1100 onwards various Bantu tribes began
migrating into the area. It was during this period of migration, which continued for several centuries, that the Portuguese discovered Gabon in 1472. [eng]
Gabon History France made the area a
semi-protectorate in 1839-41 and worked to abolish
the still-active slave trade. In 1903, France put a
colonial administration in place and in 1910, the
region became part of French Equatorial Africa. [eng]
History of Gabon During the last seven centuries, Bantu ethnic groups arrived in the area from several directions to
escape enemies or to find new land. Little is known of tribal life before European contact, but tribal
art suggests a rich cultural heritage. [eng]