Bube, Fernandian in Equatorial Guinea

Introduction / History

The Bubi people represent seven percent of the population of Equatorial Guinea in West Africa. Their traditional homeland is the island of Bioko including Malabo, the capital city. They speak one of the coastal Bantu languages which they desire to develop. Most of them know some Spanish from school days and some Krio, which is the trade language on Bioko island. Bioko is a big, beautiful, tropical, volcanic island off the coast of Nigeria and Cameroon.

The Bubi men are good sailors, strong swimmers and skilled fishermen. They used to be a kingdom, but had no king for many years. They have been colonized by the Spanish and have as one of the results become Roman Catholics. Their religious practices include many elements of traditional African animism.

There are primary schools in every village, but they often lack teachers. Almost all the children go to school. Teaching is done in Spanish by teachers who are originally Fang speakers. A bilingual literacy program (Bubi – Spanish) might have very positive results in their educational advancement and progress in Spanish. This could result in a better self-image and more self-respect among the Bubi people, and help them to stand against alcoholism, drugs and teenage pregnancies. Three mother tongue translators have started work on the Bubi New Testament.

Text Source:   Anonymous