The Baga are a West African ethnic group who live in the southern swampy lands of Guinea Atlantic coastline.

[1] Traditionally animist through the pre-colonial times, they converted to Islam during the mid-eighteenth century under the influence of Muslim Mandé missionaries.

[2][3] Typically rural and known for their agricultural successes, particularly with rice farming, the Baga people speak a language of the Atlantic branch of the Niger-Congo family.

Its program of "demystification" lasted till 1984, destroying the traditional beliefs and ritual arts of the Baga people.

[4][5] Depending on the sources and the context, we observe different forms: Aga, Baele, Baga-Binari, Baga-Koga, Bagas, Bagga, Bago, Bailo, Barka, Boloes, Kalum, Zape Boulones.

They are also closely related to the inland Landuma, the Nalu of Guinea-Bissau, and the Temne of Sierra Leone, with whom they share linguistic similarities.

The Baga people, principally involved in the cultivation of rice and kola nut, and the production of salt, were a source of supplies to these traders.

Portuguese settlers, primarily Lancados, integrated into the evolving multi-ethnic society by marrying the daughters of Baga chiefs (as took place in the American colonies as well).

[3][4][13] In particular, according to Ismail Rashid, the Fulani elites casting of the slave raids as part of religious jihad in the 1720s meant that they could justify enslavement of non-Islamic peoples.

English and American traders operated along the Atlantic coasts of Guinea and had established ports for the slave trade.

[11]: 6 In the late 19th century, Guinea was taken over politically as a colony by France, a change that affected all ethnic groups in the area, including the Baga people.

When Guinea became independent in 1958, the Marxist government implemented a policy of "forced demystification," confiscating and destroying all Baga traditional animist religious icons.

After the 1984 overthrow of the former regime, the new government made Islam the state religion and outlawed non-Muslim religious practices.

The Baga people, particularly the women, are known for their skills in rice farming in the swampy lowlands of southern Guinea coastline.

Guinea's nationalization of land and property through socialist legislation following independence ended the effective power of the Baga elders.

The Baga traditionally made another mask called Bansonyi, consisting of a painted pole (some were 20 feet long), which was colorfully decorated, ending in a calico flag and a triangular icon.

[1] After the systematic destruction over the 30-year period of totalitarian Marxist and then Islamic government rule, making such ritual art has become nearly extinct.

Now, in many African countries, there are actually two sets of power institutions: one is the administrative organ of modern countries, which is managed by the president, the governor, the county head, the township head and other officials from the central government to the local government; the other is the traditional power system, which mainly exists in the vast rural areas of the chieftain territory, and implements the chieftain system, which is viewed as African characteristics.

The two key elements that have intrigued individuals who study the Nimba are the breast and linear designs along the face and head or hair.

[17] The lower hanging breasts are to represent a woman at her zenith state, who has birthed and nursed healthy children, and hair that could resemble their neighbors from their native land, prior to displacement from the Futa Jallon mountains.