A SPANISH-SPEAKING COUNTRY IN AFRICA

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea, República de Guinea Ecuatorial, is the only African country whose official language is Spanish. An independent Hispanic nation in Africa. 

Spanish language.

The Fang and Bubi languages –and their dialects- are spoken in Equatorial Guinea, along with other minor native tongues (bisió, annobon, for example) but Spanish is the official language which is used by most of the population in this tiny west-African independent country. Over 90 percent of the population know and use Spanish as a vehicle of interracial, international, educational and daily communication.

According to Agustín Nze, Equatoguinean Ambassador to London, the population has strong Hispanic feelings and ties, and feels proud of the Hispanic tradition and roots. In fact, there is a mounting interest in Latin American literature, Spanish television programs and cultural information, to the point that the local native languages are only spoken and in danger of extinction. Efforts are being made to keep them alive and in use.

The Asociación de Academia de la Lengua, named don Agustín Nze, “miembro correspondiente”, correspondent member of the Academy, Real Academia Española. Other members are Julián Bibang Oyee, Federico Edjo Ovono, Leandro Mbomio and one woman, Trinidad Morgades, all distinguished professors, diplomats, artists and writers. Efforts are being made to create a Equatoguinean Academy of the Spanish Language, to join the Asociación de Academias de la Lengua Española made up of 21 members or countries.

TVGE Internacional (Televisión Guinea Ecuatorial Internacional) broadcasts in Spanish 24 hours a day.

Historical background.

In 1778 Felipe de los Santos Toro y Freyre sailed from Montevideo to take possession of the Guinean territory to incorporate or annex it to the Viceroyalty of Río de la Plata. The Hispanic presence had its ups and downs with the permanent attacks and takeovers of the British with their usual and historical stalking and harassment of the Spanish Empire. After many vicissitudes and adversities, Spain sent an expedition which hoisted the Spanish flag in 1843. By 1916 Spain had consolidated the territory known as Guinea Ecuatorial, which in 1956 became overseas Spanish provinces.

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea, República de Guinea Ecuatorial, gained its independence in 1968.

Due to its oil production it is one of the richest, and poorest, countries in Africa. We will not go into the political history of the country since independence.

Geography.

The country, a bit smaller than Maryland, comprises 28,000 sq. kilometers (10,000 sq. miles) and has a density of 40 inhabitants per sq. kilometer, with a total population of 1,600,000.  Malabo (formerly Santa Isabel) is the capital, with a population of around 150,000. Other cities are Bata and Oyala.

Is Guinea Ecuatorial a Hispanic country?

It is a member of the Organización de Estados Iberoamericanos, and since 2009 of the Cumbre Iberoamericana.

According to Wackipedia (sic) “The term (Hispanic) is more broadly used to refer to the culture, peoples, or nations with a historical link to Spain. The term is commonly applied to those countries which were once colonized by Spain.” Without going deeper into this problem, I propose the following:

If a Mexican, who only speaks Spanish, travels to Africa and visits The Democratic Republic of the Congo, for instance, where 242 different languages are spoken, and where French is used as a lingua franca, his stay is going to be difficult, language-wise. If the same Mexican visits Malabo, the capital of Guinea Ecuatorial, he will have few linguistic problems and will be able to enjoy the culture and customs of the country with ease. See my point?

Spanish is spoken in a tiny African nation, lost in a sea of French and English dominated cultures. Will it survive? Are Spanish-speaking countries willing to help their language in Guinea Ecuatorial?