The Concept of the Person in the Bantu-Fang Culture

Abstract

Entering globalization without an identity, or leaving its own identity aside, is taking its toll on Equatorial Guinea. Most of its young people are unaware of their cultural identity. Therefore, reflecting on the concept of personhood is crucial to help them rediscover their identity. This paper aims to define the concept of personhood in the Bantu-Fang culture and to analyze the influence that this concept may have suffered during colonization. The method used in this research has been analytical-descriptive. Through an analysis of the Fang language, the concept of person was explored. The results indicate that the concept of Fang persona has not undergone acculturation. This is because the colonizing action focused on the destruction of the tangible cultural heritage, leaving the intellectual and conceptual aspects relatively intact. In addition, the analysis of the term mot (man) revealed a double meaning: ontological and moral. In the ontological aspect, the person is called muan mot (one who belongs to the human race). In the moral dimension, the term mot reflects the socio-cultural acceptance of the person within the community. In conclusion, being a person, according to the Fang perspective, implies both belonging to the human race and acting in accordance with the values and norms expected of human beings. This holistic view highlights the importance of keeping cultural identity alive in a globalized world.