ekottomagazine

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mmë Bisila
Mastho Ribocho
The 1st Annual Bubi Family Day
They are here with us
The Abóbë Cultural Institute
Photos and Video from The Bubi Family Day
Bubi Family Day T-Shirt
The Bubi revival from the diaspora
Në Tyalá
New single by Mastho Ribocho, literary work the rite of BOSÏO in the bubi village by Kopesese Sepa Bonaba, the treasure of BOKONO by Mari Paz Lola, the works of Audrey McLaren, and Sharon Jones.
LOSAKÍA LÚA BÖTÓI by Bönaí Capote


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
EDITORIAL
A general story on a specific theme of each edition.
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.
OPINION
It is a section for sociocultural opinion articles.
ËTYÖ LAÖTYA
It is a section of learning and knowledge about the Bóbë-Bubi identity in its different manifestations.
SOKKÒ
It is a section with a variety of socio-cultural news.
POET'S BLOG
A section for poetry and poems.
With the magazine Ë KOTTÓ, we will bring culture a little closer to our homes.
Editorial
THEY ARE HERE AND WITH US
Our ancestors and spirituality are never wrong.
The message was clear: they took some of our people away, taking them to a place we can only imagine, far away from our land. But one day they would return.
They wanted to destroy our identity. That is why they focused on the matrilineal line, because it is the cruelest strategy when you want to destroy a people. Then, they subjected the men to forced labor and socio-religious indoctrination. They divided up much of the native lands, creating settlements with the aim of erasing the identity of a people.
But it is difficult to erase the collective history of a people from the face of the earth. That is why the descendants of those children who were taken away from the land of their ancestors commemorate their human and cultural history with the Bubi Family Day event, held for the first time in the United States of America. This celebration, which invites the entire Bubi community around the world to feel identified, can become part of the socio-cultural calendar of the Bubi people. May the memory of those who were torn from the land of their ancestors never perish. Today, their descendants are here, with us.
Bubi Family Day was exciting. To feel that island spirit, so far away and yet so close at the same time. Seeing how different people, arriving from various states in America and Europe, turned New York into a university capital of Bubi identity for a few hours. Between traditional dance, cuisine, the Bubi language, and history, the event invited us to feel proud of being Bubis in any corner of the world. To learn, transmit, and promote our history of belonging and reason for BEING.
Story
1ST ANNUAL BUBI FAMILY DAY 2025

The 1st Annual Bubi Family Day was held in New York City from June 20 - 22, 2025, hosted by the Abóbë Cultural Institute (ACI).
The idea of Bubi Family Day started one year ago. The ACI formed a planning committee, consisting of ACI board members and Bubi community members, who began preparing for the event. The committee decided to host a free event in New York city that would share their Bubi descendent experience and immerse the attendees in Bubi culture. After identifying Lehman College as the preferred venue, Böhulá and Mastho visited the college on October 2nd at
Bokára’s, ACI President, request, to take video of the venue’s options. Rihólè, ACI secretary, also went to the university to confirm everything. The committee met regularly throughout the planning process to organize all aspects of the event and to ensure its success.
The event officially began on Friday night, June 20th, when Bubi community members met and gathered at the meet and greet on Friday at the Hyatt Hotel. The main event was held on Saturday, June 21st at Lehman College, and the event closed out with a luncheon on Sunday, June 22nd at Yop City, a local African restaurant.
This event was the first of its kind for the Bubi community. Attendees came from different parts of America and came from abroad from England and Spain. Ölöita lué ësèsèmbè, the association for Bubi youth based in Europe, was in attendance.
It was a wonderful time of bonding and cultural immersion.
On Friday night, Bubi community members met for the first time and received welcome gift bags.
Saturday’s event included opening up with prayers, a viewing of The Lost Children of Bioko Island (a documentary about the journey of self-discovery of 10 Bubi people who began their journey by taking a Bubi language class and ended up being welcomed and embraced into the Bubi community by their professor, Ntá Bösöpë Bolekia) traditional food, Böka’ó, and African-American cuisine, served for lunch on tables identified by different villages on Bioko Island, a Bubi rites workshop, and a Bubi Language workshop. The event finished with traditional dance led by the singer, Vitus, and fellowship between attendees.
On Sunday, attendees went to Yop City restaurant. They enjoyed food, fellowship, singing and dancing.
The goal of the 1st Annual Bubi Family Day was definitely attained: to bring the Bubi community closer together while learning what it means to be Bubi.
Interview
Abóbë Cultural Institute: Kawele – kaluele
Tuë lèlè, Tuë Tö’ú.
1. Ekotto Magazine was there, experienced, and enjoyed the birth of a new sociocultural event in New York:
Bubi Family Day, June 21, 2025.
How satisfied was the Abóbë Cultural Institute as the organizing entity?
We were very satisfied with the people that chose to go on the journey with us. It’s shows that we are on the right path.
2. Once the Bubi community—both in general and, in particular, those residing in the United States—became aware of the presence of an institution that promotes Bubi cultural identity:
What is the most urgent project that the Abóbë Cultural Institute considers necessary to undertake for the benefit of the community?
The most urgent projects will facilitate cultural awareness – reminding people of who they are, where they come from and what it means to be Öbóbë (Bubi)
3. In one of the emotional speeches given by the secretary of the Abóbë Cultural Institute during the first Bubi Family Day event—words that drew applause from the audience—the following was heard:
“Today begins what will have a long life.”
Given the rapid and spectacular progress in learning the art of traditional Bubi dance, will we soon see a Bubi dance group performing on various stages across the United States?
Our Secretary has made it her duty to show up in our cultural attire at various African festivals to showcase what’s to come in the future. She believes it is important for people to have a visual of who we are. We are under represented throughout various African events But a change will come!
Our teacher Vitus Kake has given us the tools so that we can showcase our talents with or without her presence sooo…..
ËË!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Coming Soon, Stay Tuned
4. What challenges did the Abóbë Cultural Institute face in organizing this first Bubi Family Day, and how did they overcome them?
Normal challenges, foreseeable and unforeseeable that coming with planning an event of this magnitude and the 1st of it’s kind. We overcame them by staying on task staying dedicated to the cause. If we took a step back then the ancestors pushed us forward. One goal one mission to Unite our people at a cultural event in NYC.
5. What role did the young people of the Bubi community play in the preparation and execution of the event?
Marketing and promotion by our youth ambassador. Eyonna
Also some of the conversation with various youth community members.
6. How do these types of events contribute to strengthening the ties between the Bubi diaspora in the United States and the community residing in Bioko?
It showed that we are strong no matter the location, that we must be proud and work together, it shows collective unity and our culture on a worldwide platform. It shows we care about each other in learning about our culture collectively.
7. What strategies will the Abóbë Cultural Institute use to ensure the annual continuity of Bubi Family Day and its expansion to other cities in the United States?
ACI believes it would be beneficial to work with our sister organizations to increase social activism. We believe we have enough people from various cities, states and countries that we came make things happen. If you would like the event to come to your city make yourself available to lead the charge. Tuë Rihuèe! SERIOUS & COMMITTED able bodies must participate in order to have successful upcoming events. We are promoting membership of our organization to plan events throughout the US and beyond.
8. How do you plan to include the Bubi language and other cultural elements (such as cuisine, clothing, or spirituality) in future editions of the event?
Use this event as a template to what we will do in the future with improvements where required. We would like to use more of our language in our presentations. More food, more clothing/ art, more spiritual discussion. Stronger cultural elements.
9. Does the Abóbë Cultural Institute plan to develop cultural or educational projects directly on the island of Bioko in collaboration with associations such as Evove?
EE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Already in the works
10. We know that music is a powerful cultural expression. Are there plans to invite Bubi artists—both from Bioko and the diaspora—to future editions of Bubi Family Day?
EE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Absolutely We have our eyes on a few artist for upcoming events.
11. Is there a vision to make Bubi Family Day an international benchmark event, capable of bringing together Bubis from all over the world, beyond the United States?
The intention is to have Bubi people from ALL over to attend the event. This event was never for just us “rebirthed/reborn” Bubi people. This is a family roll call.
12. In Bioko, many young Bubis do not show much interest in their language or cultural roots. What do you think might happen when they see people who were not born there proudly embracing the Bubi language and traditions?
We hope it inspires them, the goal is to ignite a fire deep within them. We want them to be proud of their culture the way we are. Our secretary was on the island advocating for our culture in February with people she met. Encouraging them to speak our language rather than in English and Spanish. It is imperative that we embrace our cultural identity. Culture and tradition are weaves into our DNA. We hope and pray that it catches on like wild fires.
13. What concrete actions is the Abóbë Cultural Institute considering to promote cultural exchange between the diaspora and the island, and to ensure that this awakening of identity has a lasting impact on both sides?
We have monthly family meetings open to any Batyö Abóbë. We have began a platform. A community ACI Rihuèe (family) chat where we discuss different layers of our culture ,ie, music, language, food, etc. We also have built a foundation with some people from various part of Ëtúlá á Eri. We make sure we stay connected with our new found family. keeping the lines of communication open so that we can build a future together. We’ve translated a children’s book in Ëtyö and made sure the book was distributed to our community back home. One of our board member watched, learn and tasted our traditional meals. In preparation for her series of Lapa La Rihólè, stay tuned for the next sessions.
From EkottoMagazine.com, we would like to thank all the members of the Abóbë Cultural Institute for this powerful initiative, which adds a new sociocultural event to the calendar of our community identity:
BUBI FAMILY DAY.
Thank you for agreeing to our interview.
Is there anything else you would like to say to the readers of Ekottomagazine?
We would like to leave the reader with this ….
Batyö Abóbë ba la tö’óla ëtyö(Bubi).
Batyö Abóbë ba la batóbiera beri ié ëtyö.
Batyö Abóbë ba la bëlla ëtyö.
Batyö Abóbë ba la lapa böka’ó.
Batyö Abóbë ba la bila katyá la sikoko.
Ká bé úwe?
…..Remember Who You ARE. Never EVER be ashamed of who you are. Tuë Batyö Abóbë!!!
Activity
Meet and Greet - Friday night June 20th, at the Hyatt Hotel


Bubi Family Day, Saturday June 21st, at Lehman College







Bokára, Abóbë Cultural Institute President, kicked of the event and introduced Ölöita lué ësèsèmbè.

Wilheló Mulé Ribalamuavötóan shared prayers.

Left to right, Rihólè Bitata, Ntá Wilahelo, Möónkanya
Nló Wilahelo Mule ribalamuavötòan.
Ne lö tómo.
Ëvipotó-potó.
1. Nuè varímò vòòkivá ó moova mué Estados Unidos de América, muélèpènyámó látyé ëtyílé, ëtuátuuhá, aho ëmëókóori muadò tyínèrohá, rò, tuè va vöóve, to nömbáé vipotó-potó viáalo ómoova télè ësòanla tué me sè háno mömma. Ómoovavöla ómuèè k´ë mëaká mëmma mi`ólörá töráló mièrírèrihe: ëmiá maté mé virátë në vimmatë në më mëkókó nö tömma tuí kuá. A maté mbá ötönyorí vèelamá móvò mávò, vávèléelam´émëdó, ëvihodò vóölaòmiè. Amatémbá ëvipapènyorí ëmeemá ahá váápáöntyö hná, naho ëmëaká miálòkò lè pototaala, ní kúmá, ni kòò né vivéri, aho ëmëaká rirèèrihá mió tuán tò puásató é vilèko, vá dyóndyómasavié ëvihögóhögó inyúé, nëvinyii pölö, na ho ëvihúlo në viande èënyúèrahá.
2. A varímò vòkivé ndúnduulu dé hulá tópuásadé möókó vótyó´
3. A varimò vòkivë noá, ichúé ní kölo na lòkò nné lamma lè perílávio.
4. A varímò vòkivó löváko lué Estados Unidos, á vá tá ló vòtan íío, vá lóvòtán ëhólëhóle á lólèsuele mbá.
5. A varímò vòkivé ëntòhí rè mueeraré, rèmbááré úé na ríókó, ëréá né mëtókatyotyi miè mueeramié atuè në miëéë muadò amatyó, á mié endatyö ëndyimándyímá vola.
6. A varímò vòkiv´ó löólá lósuáaló möókóvöla, lópuásaló á moopé mélasamá mé në viriva ví vóavié inyómèri rá vatyö ni´mbëlo, rívòtèerar´ikúmá, ikòò ne vi véri.
7. Ènò varímò vamma vé në ria, amá, a varímò vé tulá dá Eri nava vöóve vamma, to nömbié vipotópotó, a lo nué pényálá á vatyö vádò ömoova muányó mbá, nö tá vátyíó moònaano.
8. Ènò varimò vé ria dá vá vöóve, ávòná ványó nué lulasa va öno pulò, ávèè, váèrímörí. Morima erátyíla náèpáëriamívöla.
9. A vòná ványó títyáilo, vá tá pënyá sökö, váá mátyí wáálá wálò ölötóóló luádó ne visèri viádò vié vöóve táárímèlalatyö.
10. To nuëétaa á töá, nötöulú tuá pòtò, ëmehulá mièmiè, vá sè lèlè, mbívò ëhòdáhòdá, ne vodyu vodyu, váse nná ré nné, vá pèlo tò, vá pár´ësookò só “waguia” wé ria dadó. Riwèlawúín indène ré tulá dàdo, ohínyíndola töavavömánááré, ötöútú nó tövónyó vé vápalo lóatya.
Ölá hátyí móhéná á mótòòkí ëvérivolamölevo
Alèlè lamma!... ËËYA!
Prayers for the First Encounter
YOUNG PEOPLE OF ÖLOITA LUÉ ËSÈSÈMÈ.
I am Wilahelo Mulé Ribalamuavötóan.
I am a messenger.
My thanks.
1. Dear ancestors, owners of this land that has welcomed us from long
ago to the present day and where our umbilical cords are buried
(the land of the United States of America); today, we, Va vöóve (the
bubis), thank you for having sustained the foundations of that land so that it does not sink with us; the land in whose depths are the roots
of trees, their trunks and bark, from which fruits grow that
provide food for people and animals; the soil where the trees take root,
in whose branches the birds build their nests, lay their eggs, and
give birth to their young; the land where the plants take root, sown by the divine hand, by human hands, and which bloom so that butterflies, bees, and other insects can suck their nectar to feed themselves and feed us. We thank you.
2. The ancestors who own the winds and the air we breathe day and night.
3. The ancestors who own the sea, where fish, plants, and other things
necessary for food and health live.
4. The ancestors who own the starry sky and hold it up, without pillars, so that it does not fall on us.
5. The ancestors who own the sun that illuminates us, gives us warmth and energy.
6. The ancestors who own the moon, the light that illuminates bodies at night and prevents their spirits from wandering in limbo or disorientation.
7. The ancestors who own the waters that fall from the sky in the form of rain, which irrigate the fields, quench our thirst, form rivers, and fill lakes.
8. The ancestors who own this country, the ancestors of Bioko Island and its people, we thank you for welcoming the Bubis to your land and not abandoning them.
9. Ancestors of Bioko: know that your children, taken to unknown lands against their will many years ago, whom you said would one day return, we have now found them. Here they are.
10. They are not standing still, they are not sitting idly by, they are taking action. They have formed an association that ensures that the Bubi language and culture will never disappear.
11. We ask you to send your strength and your blessing so that they may be well, have peace and tranquility, speak with one voice, and spread the
idiosyncrasies of our community wherever they go. Prepare the way for their return to Bioko, grind the ndola ointment (a natural antiseptic) so that when they arrive, we can put it on their bodies and the insects will not bite them.
Millions of blessings.
The singer Vitus performing a traditional song.


Rihólè and Seridyé-Ílaróte introduced the Abóbë Cultural Institute.


Böhulá, director of the documentary, introduces the screening of "The Lost Children of Bioko Island". After viewing the movie, Böhulá, Rihólè, and Bokára, talked about their experience making the movie and answered audience questions.



A complimentary lunch, which included böka’ó
and African American cuisine, was served.



During lunch, Rihólè, Abóbë Cultural Institute Secretary, presented awards to Möónkanya, Vitus, Ntá Wilahelo, and Seridyé-Ílaróte, Abóbë Cultural Institute Vice President.




Ntá Wilahelo and Möónkanya shared
a Bubi Rites presentation

Böhulá taught a beginner Bubi Language class.

Attendees had fun dancing together.

Vitus Led the Sikoko Dance


Event Closing Ceremony







Luncheon - Sunday, June 22th, at Yop City

Promotion
Abóbë Cultural Institute
sponsors of
The 1st Annual Bubi Family Day

The Family Day t-shirts are available for purchase for $20! Proceeds will support
Abóbë Cultural Institute's projects. Please email abobeculturalinstitute@gmail.com if you would like to make a purchase.
Website
Tuë Batyö Abóbë
Tuebatyoabobe
Tuebatyoabobe

OPINION
BÖSUBÓBBÈ MAY MATA
The Bubi revival from the diaspora:
a gathering in New York that marks a turning point
In an emotional and symbolic event held recently in New York City, a group of African Americans descended from the Bubis gathered to celebrate their ancestral culture. This event was organized by the Abóbë Cultural Institute and Learning Center. The gathering was also attended by Bubis from the diaspora, resulting in a historic crossroads between brothers separated by centuries of pain, oblivion, and shared history.
Today, thanks to advances in genetics, many African descendants in the Americas have been able to trace their roots with previously unthinkable precision. This was the case for several participants in the event, who, through DNA testing, discovered that their ancestors came from the Bubi ethnic group. This discovery was not just a scientific fact, but a spiritual awakening, an opportunity to reconnect with an identity that had been forcibly taken from them during centuries of slavery and colonization.
Such initiatives are invaluable, not only for those seeking to heal the historical trauma of the African diaspora, but also for the cultural revitalization of African peoples themselves. While many of our brothers and sisters in Bioko are gradually moving away from their language and traditions—through ignorance, social pressure, or simply disinterest—there are those in the diaspora who are doing everything possible to recover what should never have been lost. The case of these African Americans is particularly moving: their Bubi ancestors were forced to abandon their language, their worldview, and their identity. Today, generations later, their descendants seek to learn a language they never heard, to revive a spirituality that was denied them, and to honor a history they are only beginning to learn about.
It is paradoxical and painful that no one forbids us to speak our language or practice our customs, yet many of us act as if that prohibition still existed. We ignore who we are, as if our culture were a burden and not a living heritage. This event in New York reminds us that there are those who would give everything to recover what we are letting die at a dizzying pace.
The Bubi family reunion in New York has opened the doors to what could become a fundamental cultural reference point for the Bubis of the diaspora. It is a wake-up call, an opportunity to rethink who we are and where we want to go as a people. History separated us, but the will to heal and rebuild can bring us back together. May this be only the beginning of a movement that reminds all Bubis around the world that identity is not only inherited: it is also cultivated, protected, and, when necessary, recovered.
BÖSUBÓBBÈ MAY MATA
SOKKÒ
TIMELY NEWS


New single!
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Mental health and spirituality don't have to exist in separate worlds. Sharon Jones, licensed marriage and family therapist, joins us to unveil her transformative approach to healing through her book "Uploading the Fire, Downloading the Grace: Contemplative Prayers."










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Poet's Blog

LOSAKÍA LÚA BÖTÓI
by Bönaí Capote
May the tradition of our ancestors continue
May the tradition that is not taught,
but sung,
danced,
celebrated with the body and memory, continue.
May
follow the voices that name,
the feet that remember the path,
the gestures that invoke life.
May it continue,
as the moon follows the river,
wisdom to the silence
and the soul to its ancient steps.
For he who forgets the voice of his heart
loses the pulse of the universe.
And he who honors his ancestors,
knows where to walk without getting lost.
Happy Bötói Day
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
Ë ILÁM (MY VOICE)
by Carlos Bolete Lobete
Ë ilám.
Ballá ná bá la ipölla
öámmo ö böém wëla.
Biebba la ëhëá ná ë nkòm wëla
ë la tuturó.
Ë ilám.
Ballá ná bá la etya.
Ë röppa wëla bí la seballa la ëháe,
bësari ná bí la sölla ë bi íkkiò bí hatte
lë sihúruru.
My voice.
Words that emerge
from the depths of my soul.
Sound waves that slide in the tunnels of my neck
slither.
My voice.
Words that grow.
In pain they dream of calm,
symphonic notes that let their breath fly
with the breeze.
DYNASTY
by Sharon Jones
I am the descendant
from a dynasty.
Circumstances and situations
cannot destroy my legacy.
I believed in my spirit,
knowing I am free.
Guided by the marvelous
light of truth and unity.
Not allowing the oppressor
to detain the true me.
Owning my power,
over my mind, spirit, and body.
Seeing the chains
as only minor distraction
to bind me.
I hear the powerful
voices of my ancestors,
hiding from view, saying
They cannot find me.
You are not lost.
We are walking with thee.
You are safe and protected
Keep walking with dignity.
Do not allow them
to transfer hate
within your energy.
Do not let them
tell you who to be.
Do not allow them
to enter your dynasty.
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
© 2025
All rights reserved.
May not be reproduced without the written permission of Ë KOTTÒ.
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