Expanded PDF Profile
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Profile Year: 1998 People and Language Detail Report Language Name: Bube ISO Language Code: bvb The Bubi of Equatorial Guinea The Bubi people represent seven percent of the population of Equatorial Guinea in West Africa. Their traditional homeland is the island of Bioko including Malabo, the capital city. They speak one of the coastal Bantu languages which they desire to develop. Most of them know some Spanish from school days and some Krio, which is the trade language on Bioko island. Bioko is a big, beautiful, tropical, volcanic island off the coast of Nigeria and Cameroon. The Bubi men are good sailors, strong swimmers and skilled fishermen. They used to be a kingdom, but had no king for many years. They have been colonized by the Spanish and have as one of the results become Roman Catholics. Their religious practices include many elements of traditional African animism. There are primary schools in every village, but they often lack teachers. Almost all the children go to school. Teaching is done in Spanish by teachers who are originally Fang speakers. A bilingual literacy program, Bubi - Spanish might have very positive results in their educational advancement and progress in Spanish. This could result in a better self image and more self respect among the Bubi people and help them to stand against alcoholism, drugs and teenage pregnancies. Three mother tongue translators have started work on the Bubi New Testament. Primary Religion: Christian Disciples (Matt 28.19): 2% Churches: 30 Scripture Status (Matt 28.20): Work in Progress Population (date): 27,100 (1996) The Bubi of Equatorial Guinea Item Name Item Note Have They Heard The Gospel? Profile Summary Call Themselves Christian (%) 97% Believe In Jesus As God & Only Savior (%) 2% Number Of Pastors 16 Comment (Pastors) There are 16 pastors and perhaps 100 evangelists Number Of Missionaries Working 20 Number Of Communities 100-150 Comment (Number Communities) 100 to 150 communities, over 100 of them without a church. Number Of Churches 30 Comment (Churches) There is only one Bubi speaking church, but there are also 30 other churches where Bubi people can attend. Is The Word Of God Translated? Translation is in progress, about one third of the New Testament is in first draft. From the Old Testament they have the book of Jonah. Any Hinderance To Scripture Distribution? The Scriptures are not yet published, there is high poverty and inadequate roads and communications. What Kind Of Missionaries Are Needed? They are extremely receptive to help in basic education, community development, church planting, literacy, medical help. The government is open to receive professionals who are sincerely committed to helping the Bubi people. The situation is ideal for Spanish-speakers who want to serve and help. Population All Countries Group Description World Population For This People 27100 World Population (Date) 1996 World Population (Urban Percent) 7000 Comment (World Population) 25% in the towns of Malabo, Riaba, Luba. 75% in jungle communities. They make up 30 % of the population of Bioko island and about 7% of the population of Equatorial Guinea. Countries Where People Group Lives Group Description Country Name Equatorial Guinea Geography & Environment Group Description Location Bioko island, off the coast of Nigeria and Cameroon Country Equatorial Guinea Ecosystem Type Tropical Forest Geological Type Volcanic islands Elevation 0 to 9787 feet, 3,300 Longitude 8.4 Latitude 3.3 Climate Tropical, 30C or 87F Humidity 85% Rainfall average 64 inches, 1600 mm Comments (Geography & Environment) Beautiful tropical island Language & Linguistics Group Description Comment (Language) Used in private domain and public contact with other Bubi speakers. Alternate Language Names Bubi, Boombe, Bobe, Ediya, Adija, Boobe, Fernandian Attitude Towards Mother Tongue Very receptive Second Languages Krio and Spanish Comment (On Other Mother Tongues) Almost all speak several languages, They also speak Fang Comment (On Other Mother Tongues) Spanish is the official national language. The Bubi of Equatorial Guinea Item Name Item Note Linguistically Related Languages BENGA Comments (Related Languages) Bantu languages, Bube- Benga and Ndowe cluster. Neighboring Languages KRIO Literacy Group Description Adult Literacy Percentage <1% in Bubi, about 90% in Spanish (almost all the children visit school taught by Fang teachers in Spanish.) Literacy Attitude Very receptive Active Literacy Program Yes Comment (Literacy) Almost all literacy is in Spanish. The active program is Cooperacion Espanola. They have a desire to learn and develop their own language. Economics Group Description Subsistence Type Fishers Occupation They also hunt and gather wild foods, plant, a bit of agriculture and animal industry. The Bubi men are good sailors, strong swimmers and skilled fishermen. Income Sources fish, meat, fruits, vegetables, baskets Products / Crafts baskets, lumber (state controlled) Trade Partners largely smuggling trade with Cameroon and Nigeria. Modernization / Utilities very limited, some villages have water, very few have light. Comment (Economy) outside Malabo there is food, but in Malabo it is harder to come by and prices are high, expensive Community Development Group Description Health Care (Quality) Poor Comment (Health Care) Three hospitals, several clinics and pharmacies, but with limited resources and training. They essentially distribute the drugs they have, but are often unable to provide more care. Diet (Quality) Poor Comment (Diet) There is enough variety: yucca, greens, fish, malanga, forest meat, fruit, bananas. Maybe a lack of knowledge about nutrition? Water (Quality) Fair Comment (Water) fair outside the cities, poor in the cities, worst in dry season. Shelter Description poor to fair, generally in need of repair. Energy/Fuel (Quality) Poor Comment (Energy) primary energy is wood, kerosene and fuel is expensive, only Malabo and Luba have electricity Clothing normal western clothing Transportation few vehicles, some taxies in 4 cities, poor in the north and very limited in the south. Infant Mortality Rate 120+ :1000 Life Expectancy 43 Leading Cause Of Death malaria, bleeding diarrhea Comment (Community Development) The national death rate at birth is 120 per 1000 and from age 1 to 4 225 per 1000. This number is probably higher on the island although a number is not yet established. There is a lot of tropical disease , malaria, amoebae, filaria, tuberculosis, aids, malnutrition Society & Culture Group Description Family Structures Patriarchal in the south, matriarchal in the north. Single family dwellings in extended family communities. Neighbor Relations Good, no aggression. Authority / Rule Perceived as a kingdom, but they had no king for many years. He used to live in the south. Each village has a traditional chief. Social Habits/Groupings generally long term monogamous, but a lot of extramarital affairs. The Bubi of Equatorial Guinea Item Name Item Note Cultural Change Pace Slow Identification With National Culture Integrated Self Image Depressed Local Language Broadcasting < 20 minutes daily Youth Group Description Labor and tasks (6-12 year olds) Help father and mother in everything: fish, hunt, farm, take care of household and siblings Youth Problems (Teens) Teen pregnancies, alcoholism, drugs, venereal disease, beggar attitude. Youth Greatest Needs (teens) Spiritual outreach, basic health and nutritional education, professional training, job training, a presentation of the Gospel in a culturally relevant way. Comment (Youth) The government is open to receiving help from those who are sincerely committed to helping, rather than exploiting in some way. There is seemingly an open door for professional teachers and health professionals to really help the Bubi people. An ideal situation for Spanish speakers who want to serve and help. Education Group Description Percent Of Eligible Students Enrolled Almost all the children go to school. Language Of Instruction Early Years Spanish Language Of Textbooks Early Years Spanish Language Of Instruction Later Years Spanish Language Of Textbooks Later Years Spanish Comment (Education) There is a school in every village, but not always a teacher. Almost all children go to school, all the rural schools are more than 90% homogenous. They have mostly Fang teachers. A bilingual literacy program might have very positive results in their education advancement and progress in Spanish, but the government would have to approve such an experimental program. Church Growth Status of Christianity Reached Status Evaluated Total Baptized 300 Lay Leaders 100 Bible Schools 1 Christian Clinics/Hospitals 5 Comment (Church Growth) only one Bubi speaking church, no missionary that speaks Bubi and focuses on this people group alone. The number of clinics include the work of the Roman Catholics. Religion & Response Status of Christianity Religious Practices & Ceremonies Traditional animism mixed with Catholicism. Celebrate all Catholic practices and spiritist seances Attitude To Christianity Very receptive Attitude To Religious Change Somewhat receptive Resistance / Receptivity They are open to missionaries, but resist to give up Catholicism, spiritism and the pagan lifestyle. There is an open door to work with the indigenous churches. Spiritual Climate And Openness open for material help and change but somewhat resistant to change in religious matters. Recommended Approaches A Latin American might be most able to reach them, to relate to them, or a Spaniard if he can prove