A number of units of measurement were used in Guinea to measure length, mass, etc. Since 1910, the metric system has been compulsory in Guinea.[1]

Units used before the metric system

These units were mainly Portugal, England and local.[1]

Length

Several units were used to measure length. Some of units are provided below:[1][2]

1 pik = 0.578 m

1 jacktan = 3.658 m.

Mass

A number of units were used to measure mass. One benda was equal to 0.0642 kg.[1][2] One kantar was equal to 0.977 kg.[1][2] One gammell was 1/5 kantar.[1][2] Some other units are given below:[1][2]

1 akey = 1⁄48 benda

1 mediatabla = 1⁄32 benda

1 aguirage = 1⁄16 benda

1 quinto = 3⁄32 benda

1 piso = 1 uzan = 1⁄8 benda

1 seron = 3⁄16 benda

1 eggaba = 1⁄3 benda[3]

1 benda (offa) = 1⁄2 benda p

One rotl was equal to 0.9538 lb avoirdupois.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Washburn, E.W. (1926). International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology. New York: McGraw-Hil Book Company, Inc. p. 8.
  2. ^ a b c d e Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. pp. 132, 134. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.
  3. ^ a b Clarke, F.W. (1891). Weights Measures and Money of All Nations. New York: D. Appleton & Company. p. 40.
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