Gabon is located on the edge of the Congo Basin, the richest tropical forest complex in Africa in terms of fauna and flora. The forests of Gabon may rival those of South America. They house 8,000 plant species with an endemism rate possibly as high as 20%, and almost 200 mammal species and 600 bird species. Much of the traditional African culture has disappeared under the onslaught of oil money and French influence.

The "Pierre de M’bigou" draws his name from the region of “Mbigou” located at the South-east of Gabon in the province of Ngounié.  For several generations, the sculptures of M’bigou stone are carved by the Bakélés and Bandjabi artisans from the large equatorial forest.  At the beginning, the artists mostly carved commonly uses utensils, social object such as pottery, pipes, or marmites, or spiritual objects.

Today, the M’bigou stone sculptures still reflect the tradition. However, the style of art is now evolved to figurines and objects of decoration.

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