The history of Spanish in Africa
Do you know why Equatorial Guinea is the only country on the African continent where Spanish is the official language?
Illustration of Ceuta (1577) by Georg BraunOriginal Source: National Library of Spain
A little bit of history …
In 1415, the city of Ceuta, on the northern coast of Africa, was one of the principal financial and strategic ports in the Islamic world, and for centuries was governed by various Arab and Berber dynasties. But it was also conquered that year by Portugal, ending 700 years of Islamic rule.
Map of the Mediterranean (1688) by Frederick de WitOriginal Source: National Library of Spain
In the 15th century, the Canary Islands were conquered by the Crown of Castile, and in 1497 the city of Melilla was taken. Later, in 1580, Portugal and Spain formed a joint dynasty, and so Ceuta also came under Spanish control.
Sand with mountain line. Morocco (1874) by Mariano FortunyOriginal Source: Prado Museum
Over the centuries that followed, the Spanish territory extended over the North African Presidiums, the Protectorate of Morocco, the Spanish Sahara, the Ifni region, the Gulf of Guinea, ports of eastern Africa, and some archipelagos. This expansion brought with it the Spanish language.
Julius Nyerere (1969)Fundación Antonio de Nebrija
In the 20th century, many of these territories gained their independence, adopting other more widely spoken languages such as Arabic, French, or English. However, Spanish presence over a number of centuries has left its mark on the language spoken in some places.
Spanish in Africa today
Although the influence of Spanish in Africa has meant that it has been maintained as a second language, or is widely studied, only Equatorial Guinea still has Spanish as an official language, although it is the most widely spoken language in Western Sahara.
Africa (1870) by José ReinosoOriginal Source: National Library of Spain
Equatoguinean Spanish
Equatorial Guinea has one of the smallest land areas of any country in Africa. It spans 10,831 square miles (28,052 km2) and is situated in the Sub-Saharan region of Central Africa.
Spanish Guinea (1935) by Heliotipia Artística EspañolaOriginal Source: National Library of Spain
In the mid-19th century, Spain began to send expeditions to the Gulf of Guinea. The bulk of the expeditionaries were religious, military men. The seconds-in-command, as in the Americas, were in charge of evangelizing and disseminating the Spanish culture and language.
Spanish Guinea (1935) by Heliotipia Artística EspañolaOriginal Source: National Library of Spain
The administration changed the names of establishments, streets, squares, ports, and cities; Clarence City and West Bay were renamed Santa Isabel and San Carlos, respectively. People and whole communities were rebaptized.
Spanish Guinea (1935) by Heliotipia Artística EspañolaOriginal Source: National Library of Spain
The Equatoguineans were motivated to learn the Spanish language as a route to social advancement, as well as a way to curry favor with the colonists, offering them certain social and economic advantages.
Independence of Guinea (1968) by Gustau NerínFundación Antonio de Nebrija
On October 12, 1968, Equatorial Guinea declared its independence from Spain as part of the decolonization process of Africa, supported by the United Nations. Until then it had been a Spanish colony.
Equatorial Guinea (2020) by Rafael ToledanoFundación Antonio de Nebrija
The languages of Equatorial Guinea
In Equatorial Guinea they speak seven autochthonous languages from the Bantu family, as well as Portuguese creole, pidgin English, and, the official and koiné language: Spanish. The autochthonous languages are: Bubi, Benga, Ndowe, Baseke, Balengue, Bisio, and Fang.
Equatorial Guinea (2008) by PedronchiFundación Antonio de Nebrija
Spanish has been the official language of Equatorial Guinea since 1968. It is considered as such in practically all of the constitutional texts of the Republic. The only exception is the 1973 Constitution, which despite being written in Spanish, makes no reference to the official language.
Equatorial Guinea (2008) by PedronchiFundación Antonio de Nebrija
Later, French and Portuguese were added as official languages. The integration of Equatorial Guinea into the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) in 1985 led to the incorporation of French as a national language.
Equatorial Guinea (2008) by PedronchiFundación Antonio de Nebrija
So, while Spanish is the official language of teaching and administration, and French is filtering into the world of business, local languages are losing favor as tools for cultural expression, and are increasingly limited to the home environment.
Equatorial Guinea (2008) by PedronchiFundación Antonio de Nebrija
Spanish has spread so extensively that today the majority of Equatoguineans speak it more or less fluently. It is thought that approximately 87% of the population have sufficient competency to be able to communicate in the language.
With information from Equatoguinean Spanish (El Español en Guinea Ecuatorial) by Antonio J. Manso Luengo, for Instituto Cervantes.
Curator: Rodrigo Díaz
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