Mana | French Guiana

Mana is a riverine commune in northwestern French Guiana, situated on the banks of the Mana River near its mouth on the Atlantic coast. It is the agricultural capital of the region, primarily known as the largest producer of rice in French Guiana.

Historical Timeline

Mana has a unique origin story centered on social reform rather than penal administration.

1828: Founded by Sister Anne-Marie Javouhey, a French nun and founder of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Cluny.

1830s: Javouhey established a self-sufficient community based on agriculture, initially as an orphanage and later as a refuge for emancipated and escaped slaves.

1848: Following the abolition of slavery, Mana became a major center for "reconstituted families" of former slaves.

1988: The western portion of the commune was detached to form the independent commune of Awala-Yalimapo.

Demographics & Population

The population is approximately 11,000–12,000 (growing rapidly from 8,000 in 2006). It is highly diverse and includes:

Creoles: The foundational population of the town center.

Hmong: Settled in the village of Javouhey in the late 1970s; they are the primary drivers of the local agricultural economy.

Amerindians: Including Kali'na and Galibi communities.

Surinamese: A significant population due to proximity to the Maroni River border.

Key Districts & Villages

Mana Village: The administrative and historical center, characterized by traditional Creole wooden architecture.

Javouhey: Located inland, this village is the "garden of French Guiana," where Hmong farmers produce the majority of the region's fruits and vegetables.

Acarouany: A historical site formerly used as a leprosarium (leper colony), now a preserved village and historical monument.

Charvein: A settlement on the road toward Saint-Laurent, historically a prison camp site.

Top Landmarks

Saint-Joseph Church: A simple but historic 19th-century church in the town center, representing the mission of Anne-Marie Javouhey.

Historical Center: Features several well-preserved 19th-century Creole houses.

Mona Beach: A nearby beach known for its wild, muddy Atlantic waters and nesting sea turtles.

Rice Paddies: The vast industrial rice fields surrounding the town are a unique sight in the largely forested French Guiana.

Transportation Network

Road: Accessible via the RD8 (from Iracoubo) and RD9 (from Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni). It is roughly 2.5 hours from Cayenne.

River: The Mana River is a vital transport route for inland indigenous communities and agricultural transport.

Bus: Served by the TIG (Transport Interurbain Guyanais) network connecting to the major western towns.

Safety & Health

Yellow Fever: Vaccination is mandatory.

Agriculture Hazards: Due to large-scale rice farming, some areas may have higher pesticide usage than the rest of the region.

Water: The river water near the mouth can have strong currents and high sediment; swimming is generally restricted to specific zones.

Digital & Financial Infrastructure

4G coverage is reliable in the village of Mana and Javouhey but non-existent in the deep forest or upper river. Financial services are limited; there is usually a Post Bank (La Banque Postale) ATM, but carrying Euros (€) is recommended for transactions in Javouhey’s markets.

Climate & Ecology

Climate: Equatorial and humid. The coastal plain around Mana is more prone to seasonal flooding than the inland hills.

Ecology: The Amana Nature Reserve (shared with Awala-Yalimapo) is one of the world's most important nesting sites for Leatherback turtles (April–July).

Local Cost Index

1 kg Rice (Local): ~€1.50 – €2.00

1 Espresso: ~€2.50

1 Guided Boat Trip: ~€80 – €120

Facts & Legends

A verified historical fact is that Sister Anne-Marie Javouhey was the first woman to successfully lead a colonization project in the French Empire. Local legend tells of "The Nun's Protection"-a belief that the town is spiritually shielded from the severe Atlantic storms that occasionally batter the rest of the northern coast.