Quinhamel

Quinhamel lies west of Bissau, between the Mansoa river to the north and the Petu to the south, in a landscape of mangrove, rice paddies and cashew trees threaded by small creeks. The town lives from weaving panos, from spirits distilled from cane, cashew and honey, and from the fish and shellfish landed at its small river port. At the entrance to the town, the Artissal association runs a workshop where artisans make and sell panu di pinti, the emblematic cloth of Guinea-Bissau.

Background

Quinhamel is a city in Guinea-Bissau, the capital of the Biombo Region, with an estimated population of 2,887 in 2008.

Source: Wikipedia, "Quinhamel"

What to look for

• The pano weaving - the cloth the town is known for.
• The Artissal workshop - where artisans make and sell panu di pinti.
• The mangrove creeks - the small rivers and channels around the town.
• The cashew country - the orchards covering the surrounding ground.

When to go

November to May is the dry season. Cashew harvest runs around March to June. Market days are busiest.

Things to know

The workshop keeps informal hours, so seeing weaving depends on timing. Facilities are basic.

Nearby

Bissau is east, and the Bijagós ferry runs from the capital.

Key facts