Bibiana Vaz

Bibiana Vaz de França ( – 1694+) was a prominent nhara slave-trader in Cacheu, Guinea-Bissau.

Bibiana Vaz was a Lançada, or Luso-African born to a Kriston (Christianised African) mother and Luso-African Cape Verdean father. She and her extended family built up a powerful trading empire that stretched from the Gambia River to Sierra Leone.

She married Ambrosio Gomez, a former captain-major of Cacheu, who at the time was said to be the richest man in Guinea. At the time a new Company of Cacheu was being founded, but when representatives arrived in the town, the 'Republic of Cacheu' refused to let them land, demanding control over trade and direct communication with the king. A triumvirate, which included Bibiana's brother, ruled the town "in the name of the people", meaning the Afro-Portuguese traders, for several months before the company would regain control.