Guinean Community in Birmingham

Where they come from

Guinea lies on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, and its highlands are the source of the Niger, Senegal and Gambia rivers. French is the official language, and Fula, Malinke and Susu are widely spoken. Guineans in Britain include students, professionals and families.

The community in numbers

At the 2021 Census, out of a city population of 1,144,919, 6,034 people living in the city had been born in Central and Western African countries other than Ghana and Nigeria, a group that includes Guinea.

Working for Birmingham

Guinean residents work in healthcare, transport, retail, education and business, and many are multilingual. Guinea's musicians and drummers are famous, and some teach djembe and dance in Britain, while others are training and studying to build new careers.

Birmingham is one of the youngest and most diverse cities in Europe, and its progress has always depended on people who chose to make it home. Its hospitals, schools and universities, its building sites, workshops, warehouses and kitchens all rely on skills brought from around the world. The Guinean community adds its own share to that effort, and takes pride in giving back to the city that welcomed it.

Culture and community life

The djembe drum is closely associated with Guinea, and its music and dance are performed around the world. Eid is the highlight of the year, and dishes such as sauce d'arachide, a peanut stew, and rice with leaf sauces are family favourites.

The story of the Guinean community in Birmingham is still being written, by students, workers, parents and pensioners who call the city home. It is a story of hard work, friendship and quiet pride, and Birmingham is richer for it.