History of Guinea-Bissau in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 16, 2026

Guinea-Bissau is a West African nation, officially named the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. It occupies an area of 36,125 square kilometers (13,948 sq mi) and has an estimated population of 2,026,778. The country is bordered by Senegal to the north and Guinea to the southeast.

1987: Release of N'tturudu

In 1987, Umban u'Kest directed and released N'tturudu, the first feature film ever made in Guinea-Bissau.

1988: Release of Mortu Nega (Death Denied)

In 1988, Flora Gomes released 'Mortu Nega (Death Denied)', which became the first fiction film and the second feature film ever made in Guinea-Bissau.

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1989: Mortu Nega Wins Oumarou Ganda Prize at FESPACO

In 1989, Flora Gomes's 'Mortu Nega' won the prestigious Oumarou Ganda Prize at FESPACO.

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1992: Screening of Udju Azul di Yonta at Cannes Film Festival

In 1992, Flora Gomes directed 'Udju Azul di Yonta', which was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival.

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1998: Gross Primary Enrollment Rate in Guinea-Bissau

In 1998, Guinea-Bissau's gross primary enrollment rate was 53.5%, with a gender disparity showing higher enrollment for males (67.7%) compared to females (40%).

2004: Opening of Centro de Formação São João Bosco

In 2004, the Centro de Formação São João Bosco, a private professional education center, opened in Guinea-Bissau.

2009: Census Data on Portuguese Speakers

In 2009, a census indicated that 27.1% of Guinea-Bissau's population claimed to speak non-creole Portuguese, with a higher percentage among city dwellers (46.3%) compared to the rural population (14.7%).

2010: Pew Research Survey on Religious Demographics

In 2010, a Pew Research survey determined the religious composition of Guinea-Bissau to be 45.1% Muslim, 19.7% Christian, 30.9% practicing folk religion, and 4.3% other faiths.

2010: Pew Report on Sectarian Identity

In 2010, a Pew report indicated that Guinea-Bissau, along with other Sub-Saharan countries, lacked a prevailing sectarian identity among Muslims.

2011: Opening of Centro de Formação Luís Inácio Lula da Silva

In 2011, the Centro de Formação Luís Inácio Lula da Silva, a private professional education center, opened in Guinea-Bissau.

2011: Literacy Rate in Guinea-Bissau

In 2011, the estimated literacy rate in Guinea-Bissau was 55.3%, with a higher rate for males (68.9%) compared to females (42.1%).

2015: Pew-Templeton Study on Religious Affiliations

In 2015, a Pew-Templeton study found that the population of Guinea-Bissau was 45.1% Muslim, 30.9% practicing folk religions, 19.7% Christian, and 4.3% unaffiliated.

2020: CIA World Factbook Estimate of Religious Affiliations

In 2020, the CIA World Factbook estimated the religious affiliations in Guinea-Bissau as 46.1% Muslim, 30.6% following folk religions, 18.9% Christian, and 4.4% other or unaffiliated.

2021: US Department of State Report on Religious Freedom

In 2021, the US Department of State Report on International Religious Freedom noted the belief among religious community leaders in Guinea-Bissau that communities are generally tolerant, while also expressing concerns about rising religious fundamentalism.

July 2022: Vandalism of Catholic Church in Gabú

In July 2022, a Catholic church in Gabú, a predominantly Muslim region of Guinea-Bissau, was vandalized, raising concerns among the Christian community about potential Islamic extremism, though no direct links were found.