Labé, Guinea

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Labé, Guinea

Region: Labé


Geographic Coordinates: 11.316700, -12.283300
Temperature Range: 18.0°C to 35.0°C (64°F to 95°F)
Climate: Seasonal variations with a rainy season from May to October and a dry season from November to April, with temperatures ranging from 20-35°C.
Population: 107695
Language: Pular

Labé is a city situated in the heart of Guinea, West Africa. It serves as the capital of the Labé region and has a populace of around 300, 000 people. The city is located on a plateau at an elevation of 1, 200 meters above sea level, Which makes its climate cooler than other parts of Guinea. Labé is famous for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant markets. The city boasts several mosques that date back to the 18th century and are considered some of the most beautiful in West Africa.

One such mosque is the Grand Mosque that was constructed in 1810 and features intricate carvings and decorations. The local market in Labé is one of the busiest markets in all of Guinea. Here you can find everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts and textiles. The market also serves as a hub for transportation with buses departing regularly to other parts of Guinea. Apart from cultural attractions, Labé also has stunning natural beauty. The Fouta Djallon mountain range surrounds the city and offers breathtaking views from its peaks.

There are also several waterfalls nearby that make for great day trips. One unique aspect about Labé’s culture is its cuisine which blends traditional Guinean dishes with influences from neighboring countries like Mali and Senegal. Some popular dishes include rice with peanut sauce (riz sauce arachide), Grilled meat skewers (brochettes), And fried plantains (alloco). Despite being home to many attractions, Labé faces challenges typical to many African cities such as inadequate infrastructure, Limited access to healthcare services for rural areas surrounding it.

Overall, Visiting Labé provides an opportunity to experience authentic Guinean culture while taking in some truly spectacular scenery along the way!



Important Landmarks

  1. Grand Mosque: This is one of the largest and oldest mosques in Guinea, located in the heart of Labé.
  2. Fouta Djallon Highlands: These highlands offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including waterfalls and scenic valleys.
  3. Chutes de la Sala: This waterfall is located just outside Labé and is a popular spot for hiking and picnics.
  4. Badiar National Park: This park is home to a variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and chimpanzees.
  5. Mount Loura: This mountain offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
  6. Karamoko Alpha Mo Labé Museum: This museum showcases the history and culture of Labé through exhibits on traditional crafts, music, dance, and more.
  7. Marketplaces: The bustling markets in Labé are a great place to experience local culture and pick up souvenirs like handmade textiles or pottery.
  8. Conakry National Museum: Located about 250 km from Labé in Conakry city, this museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts from across Guinea’s history.
  9. Labe’s colonial architecture: Many buildings dating back to French colonial times still stand today as well-preserved examples of architecture that can be found throughout Guinea.
  10. Simandou Mountain Range: The Simandou Mountains stretch over 150km through southeastern Guinea with peaks reaching over 1km tall, offering some spectacular vistas for hikers or mountaineers.

Primary Industries

  1. The major industries and businesses in Labé, Guinea include:
    • Agriculture
    • Livestock farming
    • Mining
    • Construction
    • Retail trade
    • Transportation
  2. The city is known for its production of:
    • Rice
    • Maize
    • Millet
    • Peanuts
    • Other crops
  3. Livestock farming includes:
    • Cattle rearing
    • Poultry farming
  4. Mining activities in the region include:
    • Gold extraction
    • Quarrying of granite
  5. Construction companies are also prevalent in Labé due to the ongoing development of infrastructure projects such as:
    • Roads
    • Buildings
  6. Retail trade includes small shops selling household goods
  7. Transportation services are provided by:
    • Taxis
    • Buses operating within the city limits
    • Buses operating between different towns in the region

Noteable History

  1. The Fulani Empire: Labé was once part of the Fulani Empire, established in the 18th century by Muslim clerics and warriors to spread Islam throughout West Africa.
  2. El Hadj Umar Tall: He was a prominent Muslim leader and warrior who played a key role in establishing the Fulani Empire. He conquered Labé in 1857, making it part of his expanding empire.
  3. French colonization: In 1896, France colonized Guinea, including Labé. The French established administrative centers and imposed their rule on the region.
  4. Sekou Touré: He was a Guinean politician who served as the first president of Guinea after independence from France in 1958. He was born near Labé and spent much of his early life there.
  5. Fouta Djallon rebellion: In 1990, there was a rebellion led by local leaders against the government of Guinea over issues such as political representation and economic development.
  6. Amadou Diallo: Amadou Diallo was a Guinean immigrant who lived in New York City. He became an emblematic figure for police brutality against black people after being shot at by NYPD officers on February 4th, 1999 outside his apartment building while he reached for his wallet to show them identification papers that they demanded from him without any reason except racial profiling.
  7. Mamoudou Barry: Mamoudou Barry (1983 – July 19th, 2019) was an assistant professor at Rouen University’s Institute for Business Administration (IAE) and researcher at NEOMA Business School in France. He was born and raised in Labé, Guinea, and murdered on July 19th, 2019 by a man who shouted racist slurs at him before attacking him with a bike lock.

Museums and Things To See

  1. The Grand Mosque of Labé is a magnificent religious site and the largest mosque in the city.
  2. The Fouta Djallon Highlands are a breathtaking natural area with mountains, waterfalls, and picturesque hiking trails.
  3. The Ethnographic Museum of Labé is dedicated to showcasing the rich history and culture of the Fulani people who reside in the region.
  4. The Monument de la République commemorates Guinea’s independence from France and features an impressive statue of President Ahmed Sékou Touré.
  5. The Centre Culturel Franco-Guinéen de Labé hosts various cultural events throughout the year, including exhibitions, concerts, and performances.
  6. The Karamoko Alpha Mo Labé Library is a public library named after one of Guinea’s most renowned scholars that houses thousands of books on diverse subjects such as history, religion, literature, and science.
  7. The Marche Central de Labé is a bustling market where visitors can purchase local handicrafts, food items like fruits and vegetables as well as clothing at reasonable prices.
  8. Labe Waterfall located just outside Labe city is an exquisite waterfall renowned for its scenic beauty and trekking opportunities.



Cultural Events

  1. Labé: Labé is the capital city of the Labé Region in Guinea.
  2. Fête de l’Indépendance: This national holiday celebrates Guinea’s independence from France and is celebrated on October 2nd every year. The day is marked with parades, speeches, and cultural events in Labé and throughout the country.
  3. Festival de la Jeunesse: This youth festival celebrates the young people of Guinea with a focus on their achievements and contributions to society. The festival includes music, dance, sports competitions, and other activities.
  4. Fête de la Musique: This annual music festival takes place in June all over the world including Labé. It celebrates all genres of music with free concerts held in public spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Cuisine

Guinean Cuisine and Restaurants in Labé

Guinean Cuisine

  1. Poulet Yassa: marinated chicken with onions and lemon juice, served with rice.
  2. Maffé: a peanut-based sauce served with meat or fish and rice.
  3. Fouti: mashed yams or cassava mixed with peanut butter and spices.
  4. Pâte: a dough made from millet or sorghum flour, often served with soup or sauce.

Popular Restaurants in Labé

  1. Restaurant La Terrasse: offers a mix of local and international dishes, including grilled meats and pizza.
  2. Chez Fatoumata Bah: serves traditional Guinean cuisine such as maffé and fouti.
  3. Restaurant Le Petit Parisien: specializes in French cuisine, including croissants and quiches.
  4. Restaurant La Paillote du Lac de Tibériade: located by a lake outside of town, this restaurant serves fresh fish dishes along with other local specialties like poulet yassa.

Parks and Recreation

  1. Parc National du Fouta Djallon
  2. Jardin Botanique de Labé
  3. Stade Régional de Labé
  4. Centre Culturel Franco-Guinéen
  5. Musée Régional de Labé
  6. Piscine Municipale de Labé
  7. Cinéma Municipal de Labé
  8. Terrain de Volleyball Municipal
  9. Terrain de Football Municipal
  10. Salle des Fêtes Municipale

Suitcase

Dream, Travel, Repeat.


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