Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2. Neocolonial Politics in the Museum and Conflicting Identities in Equatorial Guinea Subject The topic of the resource Neocolonial Politics in Equatorial Guinea Description An account of the resource The second section of the exhibit, "Neocolonial Politics of the Museum," aims to contextualize and critically examine the materials, texts, and policies that emanate from institutional artistic and educational spaces in Equatorial Guinea during the regime of Teodoro Obiang in the post-independence period. This section departs from a decolonial critique that, despite the end of formal colonial rule by Spain, politics of international collaboration have become an expression of neocolonial forms of cultural and economic influence in Equatorial Guinea. Within the fields of arts and education, intellectual and artistic expression in Equatorial Guinea remain heavily influenced by Western canons. This continues to shape the ways in which art is taught, evaluated, and displayed in museums and galleries, in addition to the cultural narratives that sustain the historical ties to the colonial past. While Western aesthetic standards and curatorial practices often result in the marginalization of black artists, their work is frequently framed through a Eurocentric lens, which can strip it of its cultural and historical context. Similarly, educational materials reflect this ongoing neocolonial influence. Textbooks and curricula often present history from a predominantly Western perspective, emphasizing European achievements while downplaying or distorting the rich histories and contributions of African societies. This not only skews students' understanding of their own heritage but also reinforces a Eurocentric worldview. The political rhetoric and policies of the Obiang regime further complicate the post-independence cultural landscape. The regime's promotion of a homogenized national identity, such as through the myth of Bantu Unity, mirrors colonial strategies of governance that sought to control and assimilate diverse populations. By promoting a unified identity that glosses over cultural diversity, the regime reinforces a simplified and controlled narrative of national identity that serves its own political ends. Igor Cusack’s insights into the regime's manipulation of colonial legacies provide a crucial perspective for this exhibition section. Cusack notes how the regime has "promoted the importance of Hispanic culture in the formation of the ‘nation’s’ cultural identity, while at the same time, it has unashamedly used Spain’s desire to perpetuate its own culture in Africa as a ploy in appealing for development aid." This dual strategy underscores how deeply embedded Western cultural influences remain, shaping both national identity and international relations in ways that benefit the regime. In summary, "Neocolonial Politics of the Museum" aims to uncover and critique these layers of influence, demonstrating how institutional spaces and policies continue to reflect and perpetuate colonial ideologies. By bringing these issues into context, the exhibition encourages viewers to question the narratives presented within these spaces and consider the ongoing impact of neocolonialism in shaping cultural and political life in Equatorial Guinea. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Alexis Hernando Cubas Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Cusack, Igor. "Hispanic and Bantu Inheritance, Trauma, Dispersal and Return: Some Contributions to a Sense of National Identity in Equatorial Guinea." Nations and Nationalism, vol. 5, no. 2, 1999, pp. 207-236. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August, 2024 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Price Lab for the Digital Humanities, University of Pennsylvania Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Creative Commons Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Digital Exhibit Language A language of the resource English, Spanish Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Equatorial Guinea Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Text Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Myth of Bantu Unity and Equatorial Guinea Conflicting Identities during Obiangs’ Regime Subject The topic of the resource Neocolonial Politics in the aftermath of the Imperial Enterprise Description An account of the resource At this point, my curation aims to illustrate how the conflict regarding the Bantu myth has added an extra layer of complexity to the operation of neocolonial politics, with local elites acting as their conduits in the aftermath of Francoism and the Spanish imperial project. The materials included in this curation—textbooks, poems, intellectual research, and material culture—provide a comprehensive overview of the varied reactions, both critical and supportive, to Obiang’s cultural and ethnic enterprise. The Guinean-Ecuadorian state itself is a product of colonial engineering aimed at homogenizing a diverse society. The colonial powers attempted to create a unified social organization, disregarding the unique histories and commitments of the different ethnic groups. This homogenizing effort has made it challenging for Equatorial Guinea to function as a unified state accepted by all its ethnic constituents (Muakuku Rondo, 19). Precisely, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo’s regime has intricately woven the myth of Bantu unity and the influence of Hispanic culture into its political and cultural framework, creating a narrative that attempts to foster national cohesion while navigating the country's complex ethnic landscape. Equatorial Guinea, with its diverse array of ethnic groups, including the Fang, Bubi, Ndowe, and Annobonese, has been a fertile ground for such manipulation. The Fang, a Bantu-speaking people, form the majority and dominate the mainland region of Río Muni. The Bubi primarily inhabit Bioko Island, the Ndowe reside along the coastal areas, and the Annobonese live on the island of Annobón. The regime has leveraged the notion of Bantu unity to propose a shared cultural heritage among these groups, institutionalized through initiatives like the 'Centre International des Civilisations Bantu' (CICIBA) in Libreville, Gabon, with support from UNESCO, the UNDP, the EU, and other organizations (Cusack, 79). The international backing of Bantu cultural unity adds a veneer of legitimacy to the regime's narrative. However, this narrative of unity belies the deep-seated ethnic divisions within the country. The Fang ethnic group, to which Obiang belongs, has maintained political dominance since independence, leading to perceptions of favoritism and marginalization among other groups, particularly the Bubi. The Bubi have a distinct identity and have historically resisted assimilation into the broader Bantu identity promoted by the Fang. This resistance has often been met with repression and violence, especially following the discovery of oil on Bioko Island, which heightened the island’s economic importance. The regime’s exploitation of ethnic divisions extends to other groups as well. The Ndowe, primarily coastal dwellers, frequently feel excluded from the political and economic developments that favor the mainland and Bioko Island. Similarly, the Annobonese, isolated on a distant island, have limited political influence and access to national resources. The discovery and exploitation of oil have further exacerbated these tensions, as the wealth generated has not been evenly distributed. This uneven distribution of resources fuels grievances among marginalized groups who see the benefits accruing predominantly to the Fang elite and their associates. In parallel, Obiang’s regime has actively promoted the importance of Hispanic culture in shaping the nation’s identity. This strategy serves a dual purpose: it reinforces a sense of shared cultural heritage with Spain and appeals to Spain’s interest in perpetuating its cultural legacy in Africa, often as a means of soliciting development aid. This linkage between Hispanic and African cultures can be traced back to Francoist ideologies such as "hispanotropicalismo" (Cusack, 214). In summary, the following section of the collection offers a comprehensive overview of the varied reactions to Obiang’s cultural and ethnic enterprise. These materials illustrate the complex ways in which neocolonial politics operate in Equatorial Guinea, with local elites acting as the conduits of these policies. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Alexis Hernando Cubas Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Muakuku Rondo Igambo, Fernando. Conflictos étnicos y Gobernabilidad: Guinea Ecuatorial. Ediciones Carena, Barcelona, 2006. Cusack, Igor. "Nation-Builders at Work: The Equatoguinean 'Myth' of Bantu Unity." Nationalism & Ethnic Politics, vol. 7, no. 3, 2001, pp. 77-97. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Price Lab for the Digital Humanities Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August, 2024 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Creative Commons Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Digital Text Language A language of the resource English Bantu Unity Equatorial Guinea Conflicting Identities Obiang's Regime