Mes: mayo 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.

Disculpa, pero esta entrada está disponible sólo en English.

dancingGuinea Ecuatorial posee una cultura rica y variada; las migraciones que tuvieron lugar del siglo XVIII en adelante trajeron consigo una gran diversidad cultural que se refleja en la música, las artes y las lenguas del país.

Guinea Ecuatorial es una excolonia española que guarda estrechos lazos con el continente europeo, del que ha recibido una importante influencia tanto en su arquitectura como en su lengua. Hoy en día, las lenguas oficiales del país son el español, el francés y el portugués.

La religión desempeña un papel importante en la vida diaria de los ecuatoguineanos, ya que un 93% de la población se consideran cristianos, y mayoritariamente católicos practicantes. Esto no impide que lenguas y creencias indígenas tengan todavía un peso importante en la vida moderna, particularmente para determinados grupos étnicos. Las lenguas aborígenes como el Fang, el Bube, el Enga y el Ndowe, que forman parte integral de la cultura del país y por ello son preservadas.

Muchos ecuatoguineanos siguen participando en costumbres milenarias dentro de sus comunidades que incluyen la música tradicional y la transmisión oral de historias.

musicLa música tradicional es muy popular en Guinea Ecuatorial; el mayor grupo étnico del país, los Fang, son conocidos por el uso del mvet, un instrumento musical parecido al arpa que puede llegar a tener hasta 15 cuerdas. La parte semiesférica del instrumento está hecha de bambú.

La música escrita para el mvet consta de unas anotaciones especiales que sólo pueden aprenderse en la sociedad bebom-mvet. La música suele ir acompañada de coros y tambores. El tam-tam también es un instrumento muy popular; está compuesto de una caja de madera cubierta por piel animal y se toca en acompañamiento del mvet. Generalmente, los instrumentos están decorados con imágenes de animales o diseños geométricos.

La música moderna como el reggae y el rock es increíblemente popular, así como las bandas de guitarra acústica indígena. Algunos de los bailes tradicionales más conocidos son el balélé y el ibanga, que suelen ir acompañados por una orquesta de percusión con xylófonos, cítaras y harpas.

Guinea Ecuatorial es famosa por su escultura tradicional y sus máscaras. Don Leandro Mbomio Nsue (1932-2012) es uno de los más famosos escultores y artistas de Guinea Ecuatorial. Mbomio estudió en la Escuela de Artes y Artesanía de Bata antes de mudarse a Madrid donde continuó con su formación en Madrid y en Barcelona. Durante las primeras décadas de su vida artística se le asoció con importantes personalidades en el mundo del arte como Pablo Picasso, al que le unía una gran Amistad. Conocido en el mundo como “el Picasso Negro” por su creatividad única, su éxito internacional le llevó a exponer en distintos países.

Sin duda alguna, Mbomio ha sido el más internacional de los artistas ecuatoguineanos y, dado su gran cosmopolistismo, llegó a particuipar en numerosos movimientos artísticos de alcance mundial. Sus esculturas y pinturas se encuentran distribuidas en museos y galerías de arte alrededor de todo el mundo, y especialmente en España, donde llevó a cabo gran parte de sus estudios y de su trabajo.

Mbomio fue Ministro de Educación en su propio país y en octubre de 2007 fue nominado como Embajador de la Paz por la UNESCO.

Guinea Ecuatorial cuenta con algunas instituciones y galerías de arte importantes. Quizá una de la más significativas sea el Museo de Arte Moderno de Malabo, que muestra arte tradicional y contemporáneo de todo el continente africano. Este museo cuenta con piezas de algunos de los más renombrados artistas del continente. El museo pretende avanzar en el conocimiento de las gentes y de las diferentes culturas africanas. Asimismo, aspira a ofrecer apoyo a las nuevas generaciones de artistas, ofreciéndoles un espacio donde exhibir sus obras y dándoles una oportunidad a la hora de trabajar en otras instituciones internacionales.

foodpageLa gastronomía de Guinea Ecuatorial se caracteriza por su variedad y está fuertemente influenciada tanto por la comida tradicional africana como por tradiciones más europeas. En las zonas rurales, los platos típicos están basados en carnes y pescados, mientras que en las ciudades se puede encontrar un oferta de marcada influencia española que incluye la paella o la tortilla de patatas.

El creciente desarrollo del sector turístico en Malabo y Bata ha conllevado una mayor y variada oferta de los restaurantes locales que ofrecen platos fusión de cocina africana y europea a lo largo de todo el día.

La gastronomía tradicional en Guinea Ecuatorial está dominada por salsas hechas con ingredientes locales como ñame, cacahuetes y ocro. La carne de animales locales como la del antílope, la tortuga o el cocodrilo es usada en ocasiones. Aunque es el pescado la materia prima que se usa más frecuentemente en la cocina moderna ecuatoguineana. Numerosos restaurantes ofrecen pescado fresco hecho a la brasa o sopa de pescado algo picante que se conoce comúnmente como pepesup. La langosta también es un plato muy popular en los pueblos costeros, y la mayoría de platos vienen acompañados de arroz y plátano.

Una de las bebidas más tradicionales es la malamba, destilada del azúcar de palma y el Osang, un té africano. El vino de palma, una bebida alcóholica creada con el jarabe extraído de varios tipos de palmera, es también muy popular y es producido localmente.