Month: May 2016

As part of the Embassy’s Globetrotters programme, we profile a different UK-based Equatoguinean each month, allowing us to learn about their experiences living and working in the country. In each interview, the Equatoguinean expats will detail their likes/dislikes of the UK, their experiences in learning English, and what they miss most about Equatorial Guinea! To view the full list of Globetrotters, please click here. This month’s Globetrotter is Fermina Lawson.

About Fermina:

Where are you from in Equatorial Guinea? Tell us a bit about yourself, and your memories of Equatorial Guinea.

I was born and brought up in Malabo. I am fang from Ebeiñ-Yenkeng in Niefang.

Why did you choose to move to the United Kingdom?

I am married to a British man and naturally moved to the UK.

Fermina’s time in the UK:

What do you like most about living in the UK?

It is hard to say, both countries are different and have contributed immensely to my life. My adult life is and has been in the UK and I would not have it any other way.

What are the biggest differences between Equatorial Guinea and the UK?

The weather! The UK has lots of parks and open spaces; when I am in Equatorial Guinea I really miss open spaces. Culture is very much valued in the UK. In Equatorial Guinea, it has a different appreciation. People are more reserved in the UK whilst in Equatorial Guinea, people have more of a sunny disposition. I guess the weather has a lot to do with that.

What are you doing in the UK?

My husband and I run our business and have been doing so since 2007. In the last year I was made the Managing Director, all is well with work and we are steadily growing. The company is called Fiscus Limited and it is a Public Finance Management Consultancy business. For more information please visit our website on www.fiscus.org.uk.

If you were to leave the UK, what would you miss most about living here?

I do not think I will ever leave the UK, I would not know how to live elsewhere. However, if I had to leave I would really miss the generosity shown by people when raising funds to help others. Voluntarism and charitable work has a different and a very positive meaning in this country and I really admire that. Also and very importantly, I would miss the BBC both radio and TV. The documentaries shown on TV are very educational and incredibly well-done, the attention to teaching as accurately as possible is very impressive. Then Radio 4 and 2 – I would really miss them.

What are the biggest benefits about working/living in the UK? And the downsides?

Education for all and all ages particularly for women. This is a very valuable part of British society, the possibility to learn new things and therefore improve your personal development is real and available for all to access should they wish to. I have worked most of my life in the UK and it would be difficult to compare to anywhere else. However, to me the downside of living in the UK has been me losing a little bit of my Equatoguinean sense of humour.

How did you learn English?

I went to both Spanish and English schools in Equatorial Guinea as a child. Later on in life, I improved it substantially when I moved to the UK.

On Equatorial Guinea:

What do you miss most about Equatorial Guinea?

Seeing that side of my family more often.

Do you plan to eventually return to Equatorial Guinea?

I do not think so, but you can never know.

Advice for others:

Would you recommend other Equatoguineans to move to the UK? What advice would you give those who choose to move here?

Yes. The reason is simple, education! I cannot emphasise this more, the importance of having the opportunity to educate yourself and your family is essential in life. To those that choose to move here, get to know the UK and try to immerse yourself in its culture (within limits if needs be). This way you do not feel completely alien with the customs and learn to enjoy the country fully. This is a beautiful country, the culture is completely new and very different from ours, one can learn a lot from it. To those living in London and the multicultural cities, being exposed to different cultures is a great opportunity and should not be wasted. Be positive, all is possible.

As part of the Embassy’s Globetrotters programme, we profile a different UK-based Equatoguinean each month, allowing us to learn about their experiences living and working in the country. In each interview, the Equatoguinean expats will detail their likes/dislikes of the UK, their experiences in learning English, and what they miss most about Equatorial Guinea! To view the full list of Globetrotters, please click here. This month’s Globetrotter is Balduino Borico.

About Balduino:

Where are you from in Equatorial Guinea? Tell us a bit about yourself, and your memories of Equatorial Guinea.

I am from Malabo, the current capital. My mum travelled to Spain to give birth to me, therefore I was born in Spain where I also lived during my early years. I would travel back to Guinea to visit relatives, particularly my grandmother.

Why did you choose to move to the United Kingdom?

I moved to England at the age of 16. My main purpose in coming to London was to study. Upon landing in the UK, I attended college where I studied Mechanical Engineering. That is how it all started.

Balduino’s time in the UK:

What do you like most about living in the UK?

When I speak about the UK, I have to speak about London as a city. I like the fact that this country provides you with the knowledge and opportunities to better yourself. Believe it or not, I like the weather a lot. In my line of work you have to wear a shirt, tie and overcoat. In a hotter environment that would be impossible.

What are the biggest differences between Equatorial Guinea and the UK?

Well, for starters, in Equatorial Guinea everyone speaks to everybody. The fact that the country is so small helps too.

What are you doing in the UK?

I work and I study a Master’s course. I have started my fifth company so far; I started the first one when I was just 17 years old. I have employees in different parts of the world, and my main task is to coordinate projects in various parts of the world.

If you were to leave the UK, what would you miss most about living here?

I would miss the business environment and its customer service. Only when you leave the UK do you realise the differences between the UK and the rest of the world. The UK has some of the best customer service in the world.

What are the biggest benefits about working/living in the UK? And the downsides?

Benefits: I would say education, ethnic diversity and living quality.

Downside: People are very cold sometimes; it is harder to get to know other people.

What qualifications did you need to acquire your job, and in what manner did you obtain them?

I have a BTEC in Mechanical Engineering; I have a Degree in Architecture and shortly a Masters in Real Estate Development. At some point, I will obtain an MBA in Finance or Project Management.

How did you learn English?

I learnt by only interacting with English-speaking people. I tried to avoid people who would choose to speak Spanish instead.

On Equatorial Guinea:

What do you miss most about Equatorial Guinea?

My family.

Do you plan to eventually return to Equatorial Guinea?

Yes. I plan to provide the country with my expertise and, along with the new generation, lead the country into the golden age of Equatorial Guinea.

Advice for other Equatoguineans:

Would you recommend other Equatoguineans to move to the UK? What advice would you give those who choose to move here?

Do not wait around for things to come you. There is no such a thing as a million dollar idea, just a million dollar action. Keep dreaming at night, and when you wake up in the morning, work towards having similar experiences during the day.

In this section of the website, we will profile a number of Equatoguineans living in the UK, allowing us to learn about their experiences living and working in the country. In each interview, the Equatoguinean expats will detail their likes/dislikes of the UK, their experiences in learning English, and what they miss most about Equatorial Guinea! Click on the profiles below to learn more about each Globetrotter.

November Globetrotter: Balduino Borico

December Globetrotter: Fermina Lawson

Equatorial Guinea’s culture

dancingEquatorial Guinea has a rich and varied culture; migrations from the 18th century onwards have led to cultural diversity that is reflected in the country’s music, arts and language.

A former Spanish colony with historical links to continental Europe, Equatorial Guinea achieved independence in 1968, but still retains this European influence in its architecture and language – the official languages being Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Religion plays a large part in national life, with 93% of the population describing themselves as Christian, mostly practicing Roman Catholics. However, indigenous languages and beliefs still have a role in modern life, particularly for ethnic groups. Aboriginal languages such as Fang, Bube, Enga, Ndowe and others are seen as an integral part of the national culture that must be preserved. Many Equatorial Guineans take part in ancient customs within their communities, including music and storytelling.

National bank holidays are held on the President’s birthday (5 June), the Freedom Day (3 August), the Day of the Constitutional Chart (15 August) and the Independence Day (12 October). Religious bank holidays are held on New Year’s Day, Easter Holy Week, Corpus Christi Feast, Immaculate Conception Feast and Christmas Day. Labour Day (1 May) is an international bank holidays observed in Equatorial Guinea.*

Music

musicFolk music is very popular within Equatorial Guinea; the largest ethnic group, the Fang, are known for their use of a musical instrument called mvet, a harp-like instrument with up to fifteen strings. The semi-spherical part of this instrument is made of bamboo.

Music for the mvet is written in a form of musical notation that can only be learned by initiates of the bebom-mvet society. Music is typically call and response with a chorus and drums alternating. The tam-tam is also a popular instrument; a wooden box covered with animal skin, it is often used in conjunction with the mvet. Generally, wooden musical instruments are decorated with fauna images and geometric drawings. Drums are covered with animal skins or animal drawings.

Modern music such as reggae and rock are also increasingly popular, as well as indigenous acoustic guitar bands. Some of the most well-known dances are the balélé and ibanga, which are often danced to an orchestra arrangement of sanza, xylophone, drums, zithers and bow harps.

Equatorial Guinea is known for traditional sculpture and mask making.

Don Leandro Mbomio Nsue (1932-2012) was one of the most famous sculptors and artists of Equatorial Guinea. Mbomio carried out his basic studies at the School of Arts and Crafts of Bata, before moving to Spain, where he continued his training in Madrid and Barcelona. In the first decades of his life, he was associated with international artistic and intellectual personalities such as Pablo Picasso, with whom he shared a great friendship.

He was known throughout the world as “the black Picasso” for his unique creativity, which led him to showcase his art internationally. Besides being undoubtedly the most universal of Equatorial Guinean artists, Mbomio was also a cosmopolitan intellectual who participated in some of the most important artistic, social and cultural movements of the century. He was also a former minister of Education in Equatorial Guinea country. In October 2007 Mbomio was nominated as an Ambassador for Peace by UNESCO.

His sculptures and paintings are distributed in museums and art galleries around the world, especially in Spain, where he carried out much of his youth work and where he maintained one of his studios.

Equatorial Guinea has also some significant art institutions and galleries. The Museum of Modern Art in Malabo shows works of traditional and contemporary art from all over Africa and has pieces of some of the most prestigious artists in the region. The Museum aims to improve understanding and appreciation of the different peoples and cultures of Africa through art. It also aims to provide support and training for a new generation of artists, not only offering them a space to exhibit, but also giving them the opportunity to work with other institutions around the world.

The food of Equatorial Guinea is known for its variety and is heavily influenced by traditional African food, as well as European traditions. Rural areas base their dishes primarily on meat and fish, with more urban areas offering Spanish-influenced restaurants serving paella and potato omelettes.

With the growth of the hotel industry in the largest cities of Malabo and Bata, many restaurants feature variations on African and western cuisine, with meals offered throughout the day.

Traditional Equatorial Guinean food is dominated by sauces made from local ingredients, including peanuts, ñame (yams) and ocrao. The meat of native animals is also occasionally used, including antelope, turtle and crocodile. However, fish is more commonly used in modern dishes, with many restaurants priding themselves on their freshly-caught fish, which is often served charcoal-broiled or in a spicy fish soup known as pepesup. Lobster is also very popular in coastal towns, and most dishes are accompanied by the staples of rice or plantain.

Traditional drinks malamba (distilled from sugar cane) and Osang, an African tea. Palm wine, an alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of palm tree such as the Palmyra, and coconut palms are produced locally.