ekottomagazine

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Bolàwari
Adolf Maype



Ë KOTTÒ, is a magazine of the cultural field in all its disciplines.
We are committed to bringing culture closer to our readers. Our goal is to give visibility to sectors that lack this opportunity of presence in large media platforms.
Our publications will be monthly and we will focus on four basic sections and four complementary ones.
INFORMATION, INTERVIEWS, ACTIVITY AND PROMOTION, and SOKKÒ, ËTYÖ LAÖTYA, OPINION y EDITORIAL
INFORMATION: Its content will be based on knowing the path of our guests. That is, what you could call their biography.
2. INTERVIEW. Focused on the professional field.
3. ACTIVITY: Focused on our guest's current affairs.
4. PROMOTION: Publicize everything related to the works of our guest or in its case what it believes necessary to promote related to his or her professional work.
SOKKÒ
It is a section with a variety of socio-cultural news.
ËTYÖ LAÖTYA
It is a section of learning and knowledge about the Bóbë-Bubi identity in its different manifestations.
OPINION
It is a section for sociocultural opinion articles.
EDITORIAL
A general story on a specific theme of each edition.
With the magazine Ë KOTTÓ, we will bring culture a little closer to our homes.
Editorial
LONG SIGHT
When we raise our eyes a little bit beyond the tip of our shoes, it is more guarantee of not stumbling.
There is no future in any society if the new generations do not guarantee the same, in this case, it is always to be celebrated when every day we meet young people capable of taking the baton from their predecessors.
This month's edition of ekottomagazine.com is a bet for the recognition of a young poet, who relates his journey of pros and cons and what remains of a career that is just warming up.
We are sure that this is the beginning of a light with a long view full of hopes to take into account in a not distant future that will bring a lot of literary work to our homes.
Story

ROBUSTIANO BESOPO BOTAU
"From being a young beneficiary to being a young cultural actor."
I am Robustiano BESOPO BOTAU, known as Soésiöbo (Bubi name), native of Rebola (Ëriiaabòlla), born on January 9, 2004 in Rebola (Ëriiaabòlla), both the year I was born and the following years to date, important events have marked my professional career as well as my personal life.
My facet in the cultural field, begins through the creation of a Bubi language course in the HOUSE OF CULTURE OF REBOLA, in 2015, a course that has been taught by Mrs. PACIENCIA UDO.
Where she shares with us part of her linguistic legacy and certain words of affection:
"The Bubi people have good stories, rich traditions, people with a lot of knowledge (which inspires and motivates me), because they defend the Bubi language so that it does not disappear".
Through the beautiful words of Mrs. UDO, I feel motivated and eager to give a grain of sand to the Bubi people; I see no ways, no motives (but I continue working in silence without raising my voice for fear of being rejected).
"At a young age I was a member of the "K-TUE" platform, which was founded at the end of 2015 as a multicultural platform promoting Ö LÖTÓLÓ LË TYÖAÓ, the Bubi language and culture, from the village of Rebola.
January 12, 2016 arrives (the beginning of the 2nd quarter of the 4th grade), and we get a call from the school principal, she informs us about the creation of the children's contest of the Bubi mother tongue in the ËVÓVË/ËBÓBË events and asks us to participate, eager to give it all together with my classmates, I accept with a lot of happiness and a smile on my face. We attend the preparation classes during the months of January and February and the day of the mother tongue (February 21 in BASUPU) arrives and we have to compete with children from other villages, that's where I win the "FIRST PRIZE OF THE CHILDREN'S COMPETITION OF THE BUBI MOTHER TONGUE" in its first edition.
We move forward and I continue working in silence without raising my voice.
The following year arrives (2017) and it is time to celebrate the event of "THE MOTHER TONGUE" in BASAKATO (Rile'o) and it is our turn to participate in the "CHILDREN'S COMPETITION OF THE MOTHER TONGUE" and it is our turn to defend the name of the village of REBOLA (Ëriiaabòlla); it is there where I win for the second consecutive year the "FIRST PRIZE OF THE CHILDREN'S COMPETITION OF THE MOTHER TONGUE".
- I am absent in the year 2018 celebrated in "MOKA" for reasons of the death of my Father.
- I am absent in the year 2019 held in "BOSOSO" for school schedule reasons.
- I am absent in the year 2020 celebrated "BELEBÚ" for reasons of insecurities and distrust in my own self.
I continue to work in silence without raising my voice, when without further hope comes the event of "THE MOTHER TONGUE" in "BÁTÖIPÖKÖKÖ" and gives the green light to my silent trajectory in Bubi linguistics and culture.
I participate in that event supporting the Rebola children's contest committee (Ëriiaabòlla), the tribute committee (PRESENTING A POETRY, full of a peculiar musical rhythm known as <BUBI guitar rhythm> and the music committee).
In this year, (2022), in which my first titled work ("KÁ NÉË"/ What I am) came to light, my being and my essence constitute a true cultural legacy for the Bubi people and justify any effort aimed at preventing my old works done in silence and without raising my voice from falling into oblivion.
Then, in June 2022, Master Geremaya was both interested and concerned about my work, and I let him know that the prolonged duration of my work is due to the fact that the time devoted to this task was the times of boredom and for various reasons.
The year 2023 arrives and I continue with the green light in my works and suddenly the Geremaya tribute arrives, and I am the one who has to manage the Poetry part and translate it, I present myself at the event with poetry ("Ë siallo lö wallo"/ Poetry and the writer). Poetry that captivated and touched hearts during his presentation with tears included.
In this year, professional obstacles arrive, where all my attempts have ended up in the wastebasket, but we continue to move forward, and I have always had the intention to continue working despite what I went through, I had the illusion of writing and working with children.
So, in September 2023, from the imminent CULTURAL HOUSE OF BÁTÖIPÖKKÖ, together with Bösubóbbe MAY and Piedad ITYÖKÓ SOSÓ, we created the idea of giving a Bubi language course in the village of BÁTÖIPÖKKÖ to the children who wanted to learn the language, A course that lasted 150 days (5 months), during which I felt at my best professionally, but unfortunately, our culture and language is ungrammatical and there are few people who know it.
It was a course that gave the green light, bringing with it the third prize in the children's contest in the village of Bátöipökkö.
The fifth participation took place in Bariobé, from Sunday 18 to Sunday 25 February 2024, in this edition the winner was the singer-songwriter Consuelo APO BOTUPA (Piruchi Apo), where it was my turn to present a poetic work during the tribute. A work entitled "Lösakkia ömmë Piruchi Apo".
A work that gave green light to my cultural historical days.
In the same event it was my turn to be the representative of the Rebola people, and yet I was aware that the living memories of our culture were getting out of hand, and it was my turn to present the gift of the Rebola people to Piruchi Apo.
But nevertheless, this would be part of everything in the event; in the same event I witnessed the performance of the cultural group "K - TUE MUSIC" where a special tribute was given to Mrs. OKKI ROCA BOTEY, and participated in the tribute with the poetry "Bösséllò", in memory of OKKI ROCA BOTEY.
BÖSSÉLLÒ:
Elaba a lösosi, bösséllò, nöè ya riokó,la kö’ó.
Bötyö e wëióba, ká ë Ruppé we wëlleró köria ribötyö a tá opèsòo.
Tó beano bösséllò we OKKI ROCA,
Ö bösséllò bó tyí llellò,* “bö tyí llellò”*, bö tyí sibélló, bö tyí öbari.
Ké sè ë sibákkéö, wé tyíeri ö böheru ö.
E böbelle'm, ntyallo to nnaesilla wae ribötyö tò sëi lösisi köria ö mmò ó tá akatero.
E böbelle’m etula a bioko e bé’i ö lösisíó, ö bösséllò ö böheru ö.
Böllá ö mmo ö tyi òe wae ribötyö weè takió ló mmò.
Aolè.
Highlighting the events:
- I disassociate myself from the multicultural platform "K- TUE" for reasons beyond my control.
- I was a member of the platform Sons of Bisila.
- I am a volunteer at the CULTURAL HOUSE OF BÁTÖIPÖKÖKÖ and I am the coordinator of the Bubi language workshop.
- I participated in the music video clip "SIBÓLO" of the group "K- TUE".
- I participated with my voice in the music of TYIÖLÁ of the group "K- TUE".
- From a distance, I worked with the group of young people in the diaspora (Ölöita lué ësesembe), putting my beautiful voice in the advertisements and having space in the event for the presentation of my poetry.
As of today, I count a sum of poems in Bubi (and only in Bubi), at a young age of 20 years actively participating in many of the momentous events in the history of the Rebola people.
"Many believe that talent is a matter of luck, but few know that luck is a matter of talent."
Potóo Potóo; thank you very much!!!!

Interview
Robustiano BESOPO BOTAU
Ko bóyálo. Ká wë lè?
Pottó pottó, nnë lèllè!
Thank you for accepting Ë Kottò magazine's invitation.
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What inspired you to write your first POEM(poetry)?
I was inspired by my life condition, since I am an orphan, I was inspired to write about it.
2. How was your experience of winning the children's poetry contest in bubi in 2014? What did that achievement mean to you?
It was a unique experience, obviously unforgettable, an achievement that meant a lot to me, it made me understand that the people need me but I need the people more; that I had to be for the people and not the people for me.....
3. Can you tell us more about the projects you have participated in to save the Bubi language?
Yes, I have participated in different projects with good intentions in favor of the Bubi culture and language; I can highlight the project ËTYÖ BUBI of the multicultural platform K-TUE, which was taught in Rebola from September 22 to December 22, 2023 under the coordination of Mr. Choni. A project that inspired me to create the one of : "Ö Lösakkia ló lötó'ólló lúáo", in order to create competition in the children's contest of the mother tongue Bubi.
I am currently working on the project HEALTH WITH POETRY, a project I created together with the Malabo poetry club.
4. What do you consider has been your most significant contribution to the promotion and preservation of the Bubi language?
My most significant contribution has been to create a couple of poems in Bubi, because, everything with love, tastes and comes out better, and I am glad that the people know about me and I know about them.
5. What kind of poetry do you write and what is the most recurrent theme in your works?
I do not have a particular type of poetry, much less a recurring theme in my poetic works because I consider that ideas mean nothing, nothing at all; the execution is the only thing that matters since it is not about what I think about doing, but what I do.
Interview
6. As a monitor for the Bátöipökkö House of Culture, what were the biggest challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
As a monitor at the cultural center of Bátöipökkö, I had personal and professional challenges, my biggest personal challenge has been to show interest in myself, because when we are at the top of the mountain it is difficult to see what is below and many times I could not see; and on a professional level, I had to adapt to the daily transport situation, the children with their strengths and weaknesses and the environment in general; but I understood that no matter what I do, it is all part of a cultural evolution. Fortunately, I can now say that I am more and more prepared for challenges, both on a personal and professional level.
7. Please tell us about the inspiration behind your poem Ká Nëé.
La inspiración detrás del poema "Ká Nëé", surge a raíz de unos pensamientos de cómo estaría sin una lengua materna "Ká nëé ná ntókki lötó’ólló", no sería nada ni nadie.
8. During your career as a poet, cultural worker, you have faced life's challenges along the way, and you have kept going. Please share your wisdom on how to continue to work for your purpose despite life's obstacles.
If life puts obstacles in your way, your challenge is to overcome them". I had to adopt a more positive attitude, live a different reality, testing my capabilities, focusing on goals without plans, not regretting leaving my comfort zone, and most importantly, always learning from adversity by seeing obstacles as opportunities.
Interview
9. When will the public be able to find your first literary work in a bookstore?
Well, that aspect in particular, does not depend on me personally, since if it were up to me, I would have everything I have written so far already written in some manual; but by the grace of God and the help of good people, willing to collaborate, contributing their grain of sand, people to whom I thank with all my heart for their good faith, I believe that someday, the time will come when not only the first, if not all my literary works, can be easily found in some bookstore or another.
10. Do you think the excuse of many young people of your generation who blame their parents for not being able to speak their mother tongue is valid, while many of them speak between one and three Western languages?
In part yes, because the education and training we receive at home is the fundamental basis for our growth as people; in that sense it would be much easier to start from that base to be able to speak and/or write correctly in our mother tongue, but in case we do not start from that base, when the time comes one can have the initiative to want to learn, that is why I applaud those who are doing it and invite those who are not, to do it because currently, there are many facilities and support, both physical and virtual that would help to achieve that goal.
Thank you for sharing with us. Is there anything else you would like to say to the readers of Ë Kottò magazine?
Yes, many believe that talent is a matter of luck, but few know that luck is a matter of talent.
With that, I want to ask that we explore our potential to create or do whatever is pertinent in favor of our language and culture, let's leave excuses aside and let's unify and create a little or a lot, for the good of our future generations.
POTÓO POTÓO;
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!
Activity









Promotion
LANGUAGE / TONGUE
May the mother tongue not be lost,
bubi is our language.
The greatness of our people.
The language is love, heart, and joy.
Which we must not let fall into oblivion.
Let us put strength, courage and wisdom.
Language is the umbilical cord that links us to the clan, the tribe, the lineage or the people to which we belong.
Human characters become distorted from our tongue because the eyes become attracted by wealth, and the mind deranged by the glitter of money.
Language is the greatness of our people and the traces of our traditions.
Language is the soul and prosperity of a long life.
"In the whole world, opportunities will come to you to learn other languages, but, to learn the Bubi language, is for the lucky ones."
Soésiöbo. ©️2024
LÖTÓ’ÓLLÓ
Ö lötó’ólló ló oberi lue ribellè
Ëbóbë Kó lötó’ólló luaò
Kó vöótè wè eria’.ö.
Ö lötó’ólló ká rihóle, ka eteba,ká rimmamabió
wë pálá o párá lötó’ólló á tyílèrò itè atá,
hèrahò ö winnòò, ë tébáò,
ö wétáò,
Ö lötó’ólló kò bösori wè
tyekkú bö lè ökana bö, lö lókka,
lë kárityöbbò, lö bötatté,
lé bíriia biaó.
Kò böhai bö lè alla ‘ bö ë tyé tö purí ë.
Ë bëkeu bia betyö bi la rekèssa
ë bó wella ò lötó’ólló,
I nokkò í útubbam ka’ó :
ë bëtyètye bié biöllo bi kákabia
ë biëtta wëlla biá bikëbíkë.
Ö lötó’ólló Kó vöótè wè eria’ö le ribobo re biëká biao.
Ö lötó’ólló Kó böe, ló bö’ó bottó wà ribötyö rito.
“É ribötyö welá rima o le’á tölló, wae a ló lötó’ólló luá abobé, ötyommá.”
Soésiöbo. ©️2024

OPINION
BÖSUBÓBBÈ MAY MATA
What we can contribute
In an increasingly globalized world, the Bubi diaspora is spreading across the planet, with individuals trained in various fields of knowledge and professional practice. These Bubis of the diaspora, with their diversity of knowledge and experience, have in their hands a unique opportunity: to contribute to the preservation and revitalization of the Bubi language and culture. This effort will not only strengthen the identity and cohesion of our community but will also ensure that our traditions and cultural heritage are not lost to oblivion.
Among the Bubi diaspora we find doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, artists, entrepreneurs, scientists and many other professionals who have achieved high levels of academic and practical training. Each of these individuals possess specific skills and knowledge that, if properly combined, can create a significant impact on the preservation of our culture. For example, linguists can work on documenting and teaching the Bubi language, historians can collect and preserve our histories and traditions, and artists can use their creativity to promote Bubi culture through various art forms.
To achieve this goal, it is essential that we unite. Unity is a powerful force that can transform our aspirations into reality. We need to create networks of collaboration and support among Bubis in the diaspora, encourage the exchange of ideas and resources, and develop joint projects that have as a common goal the preservation of our culture and language. This collaboration can take many forms, from creating digital platforms that facilitate the learning of Bubi, to organizing cultural events that celebrate and promote our heritage.
Contributions from various fields
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Education and Linguistics: Educators and linguists can develop bubi language teaching programs, both face-to-face and online, to ensure that new generations can learn and use our mother tongue.
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Technology and Engineering: Technology professionals can create applications and digital tools that facilitate the learning and use of Bubi. In addition, they can develop platforms that allow bubis around the world to connect and share knowledge.
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Arts and Culture: Artists, musicians and filmmakers can use their talents to create works that celebrate and promote bubi culture. These works can serve as a window into our rich cultural heritage for the rest of the world.
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Health and Wellness: Physicians and health professionals can research and preserve traditional knowledge of Bubi medicine, integrating it with modern practices for the well-being of our community.
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Business and Economics: Entrepreneurs and economists can develop business models that support cultural and educational projects, ensuring their long-term sustainability.
The task ahead is not easy, but it is absolutely necessary. The preservation of the Bubi language and culture depends on us, on our willingness to work together and on our commitment to our roots. Every little effort counts, and every contribution, no matter how small it may seem, has the potential to make a big difference. It is time for Bubis in the diaspora to unite and work together to ensure that our rich cultural heritage not only survives but thrives for generations to come.
In conclusion, what we can contribute is immense and varied. The diversity of backgrounds among Bubis in the diaspora is an asset that we must take full advantage of. United, we can build a future in which the Bubi language and culture will not only be preserved, but also flourish and be a source of pride and strength for all of us.
BÖSUBÓBBÈ MAY MATA
Ë KOTTÒ
Publisher
Diversity Ëtyö Project
Magazine Director
Barbara May
Editor in Chief
Tomás May Pelico
Designer
Böhulá
Colaboration
Eduardo May Mata
ISSN 2833-4124
© 2024
All rights reserved.
May not be reproduced without the written permission of Ë KOTTÒ.
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