The Kele people (or Akele, Bakele, Dikele, Western Kele) are an ethnic group in

Gabon Gabon (; ; snq, Ngabu), officially the Gabonese Republic (french: République gabonaise), is a country on the west coast of Central Africa. Located on the equator, it is bordered by Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north ...

with an estimated population of 10,774. They live in groups around

Mimongo Mimongo is a place in the region of Province de la Ngounie in Gabon at 1°37'12" south of the equator and 11°36'36" east of the Greenwich Prime Meridian. Mimongo has a population of approximately 3,307 people. Facts on Mimongo: Name: Mimongo ...

in or near Middle Ogooue Province. Their Kili language is part of the Northwest Bantu cluster. They were known in the past as skilled hunters, and were also one of the main groups participating in the slave trade. American missionaries from the

American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) was among the first American Christian missionary organizations. It was created in 1810 by recent graduates of Williams College. In the 19th century it was the largest and most imp ...

started working with the Kele as early as 1849, but due to insecurity later withdrew to Nengenenge island.

References

{{authority control Ethnic groups in Gabon