ekottomagazine
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Torimpelamhele
Mastho Ribocho
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
BÖTTE TYIBA, POTÓO
There was never any doubt that somewhere in the world they were unjustly uprooted from their ancestral land.
But the hope was evident that someday they would return to be children of the land of their ancestors.
The spiritual and historical connection that exists between the Bubi people and their loved ones from beyond, who is part of this story knows that our ancestors sometimes simply with a whisper in our ears at any time of our day-to-day life the target of the message, sooner or later, never fails.
It is the case of what we have present today: the descendants of the children plucked on the island of ERI today BIOKO are appearing anywhere in the world, especially in the West. etc. Connecting with their Bubikana heritage, as we affectionately call them.
Abóbë Cultural Institute is inspiration, hope to strengthen more and more the history of a people and its millenary culture throughout the American continent.
TYIBA, great patriarch of the island of Bioko
Tyiba, victor of strife
Tyiba, great patriarch of the island of Bioko
Conqueror of wars.
Thank you Great patriarch TYIBA
Son of mother Börihí
We congratulate you for the strength of your spirit
Your missing children
Taken from your land
Long ago, long ago running, running
Thank you! Their footprints appeared
ABÓBË CULTURAL INSTITUTE.
Welcome children of the land of ERI-Bioko.
Embrace without complexes your cultural identity, heritage of your ancestral heritage.
Story
ABÓBË CULTURAL INSTITUTE
The Abóbë Cultural Institute (ACI) was formed in January 2024. The purpose of our organization is to preserve Abóbë culture and to inform descendants across the diaspora of Abóbë language, history, and customs. We are bridging the gap and breaking down the language barrier. We noticed in the beginning of most of our journeys that we experienced the same difficulties because most of the information provided about our culture is in Spanish. We saw how important it is to translate for our community so that no one is left out. We work hard to give people in the diaspora the ability to learn and grow stronger in our culture. We have put together various projects to help aid with that goal. Currently we meet for Öpéri a Rihuèe (family meeting) which is every second Sunday of each month via zoom. This meeting is for news updates, sharing info and bonding. We also recently launched our cooking series Lapá la Rihólè: learning our culture one bite at a time. This course was designed to teach us about our traditional foods. The first session of this series was cooking Böka’ó. It was a blast! Everyone was very receptive. Böka’ó is now a staple dish in our household.
ACI executive board members consist of Bötapánna Bokára, Kíháó Buëtáa, Ílaróte, Rihólè Róbitábítta.
Michael T. Rogers
Bötapánna Bokára
Bötapánna Bokára serves as president. He has been learning about the culture and powerful history of the Aböbé people through DNA research since 2020. Since then he has been learning the language and connecting with others to build a connection to what was once lost. He is proud to participate and serve in this effort.
Aisha Harris
Kíháó Buëtáa
Kíháó Buëtáa serves as treasurer for our organization. She began her ancestral journey in 2020 by taking a DNA test that revealed her maternal lineage is 100% of the Bubi people of Bioko Island. From there, she connected with her Bubi family throughout the diaspora by learning our language of Ëtyö and various cultural traditions.
Langston Morrison
Ílaróte
Ílaróte is this year’s vice president of the Abóbë Cultural Institute and Learning Center. In 2021, he took a DNA test with African Ancestry, and discovered that his maternal lineage is 99.8% from the batyö abóbë of Etulá a Ëri.
Sharia Willams
Rihólè Róbitábítta
Rihólè Róbitábítta is our secretary, She was born and raised in Philadelphia Pa. She was raised in a close family dynamic. She has a profound love for all things African. She also shares a 99.8% match with her family in Etulá a Ëri. She dedicated countless hours researching and learning about our culture. She believes it is very important to regain that cultural awareness.
We are from various places in the USA; New York, Pennsylvania and Nebraska. We are joined together by the love of our culture. We have been working together for years on various projects and cultural events. Interacting with Abóbë people all over the diaspora have led us to build this organization. We have members from different walks of life, together we make a power house of knowledge. We want the organization to continue to thrive for the generations to come.
Tuë tö’u! Tuë bulé! Tuë Batyö Abóbë!
Interview
Abóbë Cultural Institute,
N lo bóyálo. Ká luë lè?
Potóo. Tuë lèlè.
Thank you for accepting Ë Kottò magazine’s invitation.
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What inspired you to create an association after discovering your Bubi ancestry? What were your main objectives when founding this organization?
We founded this organization because of our love for our ancestry, culture, language, history, and the people of Etulá a Ëri. We are dedicated to preserving our language because no one is going to save us but us.
We think imperative to provide translation services to bridge the gap between Bubi people in Spain, Bioko, the United States of America, and other places in the diaspora.
2. How was the process of discovering that your ancestral roots come from the Bubi people of Bioko Island? What feelings arose upon learning this information?
We took DNA tests with African Ancestry, and found that we are descendants of the Bubi people of Bioko Island. After, we began a Sankofa journey back to our roots, connecting with people on Facebook and trying to recover our historical narrative. We faced obstacles in realizing that much of what was written about our people was limited and sometimes inaccurate, so it fed a hunger to gain more knowledge. Soon after, many of us discovered Shayla with Resplendence Languages on Facebook, to start learning our language and more about our culture. Ntá Bolekia Boleká, along with Shayla, spearheaded a global initiative to teach our language to us in the diaspora. Over time, we dove deeper, got involved in more initiatives, and have even been afforded the precious opportunity to connect with people in Spain and on our island. Through our work and involvement in all these programs in our community, we show that we care about who we are. “When it comes to our culture you have to be serious and give and receive with your whole heart.” - Rihole Róbitábítta
3. What steps have you taken to reconnect with the culture and traditions of the Bubi
people? Have you traveled to Bioko Island?
We’ve taken spirituality, language, and singing classes, attended the Ölöita Lué Ësèsèmbè (OLE) Event in Spain, and this year, we had our inaugural cooking classes. We also collaborated and participated in Mother Tongue Festival via the OLE. Honestly, anything that pops up via social media or group chats we try to participate in, we try to make it a point to show up for all things Obòbë.
We have not traveled to Etulá a Ëri as of yet, but we plan to visit in the near future.
4. How has this discovery influenced your personal identity and your perception of family history?
It makes a lot of sense. It confirms everything we’ve ever known about ourselves. Everything came full circle.
5. What has been the reaction of your family and friends upon discovering your Bubi heritage and the creation of the association?
The reactions vary depending on each individual family’s level of colonization and conditioning. We all have different stories but the reactions have been generally supportive.
6. What type of projects and activities does your association undertake to promote and preserve Bubi culture?
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Translation Book Project
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Posting content on social media featuring videos on our language, culture, and history
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Break down language barriers
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Cooking Classes / Lapá la Rihole
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Monthly Family Meetings
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Upcoming Singing Class(es)
Interview
7. Have you established connections with members of the Bubi community on Bioko Island or elsewhere? How have these interactions been?
Yes, our first connection outside of Ntá Justo Bolekia started with Piruchi Apo when she came into one of our language classes. Some of us couldn’t believe we were talking to the person who’s music we been listening. She was so down to earth. She came in, teaching new words. Chatting with us allowed us to see how local sound. It was a beautiful experience.
We also established connections with Mastho Ribocho, Ntá Serafín, Ntá Borrubeka, Ntá Bokesa, Vitus Kake, Ntá Wilahelo, Móökanya, Bosubobe, Loberi and so many other connections.
These interactions have been amazing. Everyone has treated us like family from the start. It’s as if we grew up knowing these people. They were very welcoming. They all bring different aspects to our journey.
This is what family should look like.
8. How do you plan to educate and raise awareness among other African Americans about the importance of knowing and reconnecting with their African roots?
We practice what we preach. Exhibit our culture through our interaction with each other. This will enable you to teach little by little. Breaking down barriers and walls that are present through colonization. Also sharing our stories with whoever wants to listen. Often times this will motivate people to do the same and start their personal journey.
9. What challenges have you faced in trying to reconnect with your Bubi roots and in establishing the association? How have you overcome them?
We never gave up. We never lost our focus. We locked in on our goals. We kept digging, asking questions talking to different people. Take whatever class or lecture that was available until we got to this point.
10. Please tell us some of the Bubi cultural things that y’all have learned through your research and experiences over the past few years on your journeys of self-discovery.
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Bötói
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Böka’ó
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Bönótyó ëlò ó lötó’óló ló öbèri
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Irupa
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Tö’óla ëtyö
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Tö la bëla bié ëtyö
11. How to convey to the descendants of the Abóbë Cultural Institute community their love and involvement in the cultural identity of their parents?
They should try to experience the Bubi culture on their daily lives (singing songs, learning vocabulary, cooking etc.)
12. How did the beautiful idea come up in Abóbë Cultural Institute to proclaim a first cultural and universal family day from the USA for the Bubi community every year in June?
Bötapánna, Andrea, and Rihole talked a little about it in Spain, and soon discovered that Böhulá was saying the same thing. We initially planned to have it as a community day, and it molded into its current manifestation. Our organization members wanted to be more involved as Bubicanas here in the U.S. than what our prior experiences have been so we came up with this family day to take on a more active role in our community
13. Of all the objectives set by this entity, which has the highest priority in the short term on the agenda of Abóbë Cultural Institute?
The Family Day in the US. Also known the “Bubi” family day.
Interview
14. Tuë tö’ú. Tuë bulé. Tuë batyö Abóbë. What do these phrases mean and why have y’all chosen them to represent the organization?
We are strong. Despite all of the thing we been through we are still standing strong. We were stolen from our family and we still found our way back.
We are one. Community is very important. It takes a village. If you work together you can accomplish more.
We are Bubi people.
We chose it because it fits the essence of who we are. It transcends words and reflects a lifestyle.
15. What does the Abóbë Cultural Institute hope to accomplish in the next 5 years?
We hope to be able to bring hundreds of people back in the fold to learn the essence of who they truly are.
16. What does the ACI think needs to happen in order to preserve the Bubi language? What role will the Abóbë Cultural Institute play in this process?
We need to normalize speaking. We have been giving different learning tools so people can start to learn and also share language knowledge. We often encourage people to try at the very least. Even it’s one word a day. We have been creating content that are language, tools. We will be creating books and different learning tools.
17. Please tell us about the Family Day that the organization is planning to have in New York next year. Why are y’all doing it and what do y’all hope to accomplish?
It’s important to be culturally grounded. We hope it unites all the Abóbë ppl in the diaspora. We want to light a fire in them that burns long and strong. We hope it has the same impact we’ve experienced traveling to Spain for the OLE event. We left feeling more connected and more grounded.
18. The organization recently started a cooking class, Lapá la Rihólè in which you taught how to cook böka’ó. How did that go? What impact did it have?
Lapá La Rihólè went exceptionally well. It was a great bonding experience. Everyone has been cooking Böka’ó since that day. We even had people cooking it multiple times within that week. It was a very proud moment to experience this type of impact. The smiles, the laughter it filled our hearts. Little by little we will become stronger, Reclaiming what was stolen from us. With Lapá la Rihólè we are learning our culture one bite at a time.
19. What does the ACI think is the most important role that Bubi descendants in the diaspora play within the Abóbë community?
I think we create a diverse foundation on which we plan to build on. We are planting seeds of community building, cultural awareness and pride. One day these seeds will blossom and flourish into a united front. We are aware of the connection lost and what was taken from us. Our role is to connect with like minds and to rebuild and reclaim our cultural identity.
20. What are your long-term goals for the association? What do you hope to achieve in the coming years to strengthen the bond with your Bubi heritage and help others do the same?
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Creating a database
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More language study/classes
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We want to continue what we’re doing now on a larger scale
Thank you for sharing with us. Is there anything else you would like to say to the readers of Ë Kottò magazine?
Óla bötúkku tyí pálá tolo.
Activity
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SOKKÒ
TIMELY NEWS
Dear Ölöiteros and Ölöiteras,
It is an honor for us to invite you to our VII meeting, which will be held on August 3rd at the Aitana Sanchez Gijón Theater in Fuenlabrada. Your presence would be of great enrichment for all participants.
We are confident that this event will be a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and promote the use of our language among the members of the community. We look forward to your valuable participation in the proposed activities, which will be shared with you shortly. We send you our warmest regards.
OPINION
BÖSUBÓBBÈ MAY MATA
Identity and Community:
A Reflection on the Bubi Diaspora
Diaspora, that dispersion of a people beyond their geographical borders, has been a constant in human history. From the Jews to the Armenians, the Chinese to the Indians, many cultures have been able to maintain a strong sense of community even far from their homeland. This sense of belonging manifests itself in the creation of cultural enclaves where local products are consumed, traditions are preserved and the link with the homeland is kept alive. However, we can say without fear that we Bubis are a notable exception to this rule.
The Bubi have experienced a significant diaspora. However, unlike other communities, cohesion and the consumption of products created by their own people are aspects where the Bubi community seems to falter. This situation deserves a deep reflection on the reasons and possible solutions to strengthen our identity and sense of community.
Cultural identity is a fundamental pillar in the life of any ethnic group. This is expressed through language, customs, traditions and, crucially, through the consumption of our own products. Stores, restaurants, festivities and entertainment are more than just commercial elements; they are spaces where identity is reaffirmed, and a sense of belonging is strengthened. In many diasporic communities, these spaces act as anchors that hold people together, providing a home away from home.
Unfortunately, the Bubi community seems to lack such cohesion. Despite having talented individuals who create and promote cultural products, community response is often lacking. This lack of internal support may be due to myriad factors:
- Lack of ethnic awareness.
- Endemic individualism
- Professional jealousy
- Lack of empathy
- Poor capacity for reflection
- Narcissism
- Voluntary cultural uprooting
And much more...
To reverse this trend, it is crucial that the Bubi community adopt a more proactive approach to the promotion and consumption of its cultural products. This would not only strengthen cultural identity, but also create an internal economy that would benefit everyone.
It is essential to educate new generations about the importance of their cultural heritage. This can be achieved through educational programs, cultural festivals and the creation of spaces where Bubi traditions and history are taught. Awareness and pride in our roots should be instilled from an early age.
The community must actively support Bubi creators and entrepreneurs. This implies not only consuming their products, but also promoting them and giving them visibility. The use of social networks and digital platforms can be a powerful tool to reach a wider audience and encourage domestic consumption.
The creation of Bubi community centers in areas with a significant concentration of the diaspora can provide a meeting point for the community. These spaces can be used for selling products, holding cultural events, and teaching the language and traditions.
The Bubi diaspora faces a unique challenge in preserving and promoting its cultural identity. However, this challenge also represents an opportunity. By strengthening our sense of community and actively supporting our creators and entrepreneurs, we can revitalize our traditions and ensure that the richness of Bubi culture is not lost to future generations. The key lies in the unity and commitment of each member of the community to build a future where our cultural identity is a source of pride and cohesion.
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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