Dive into an exploration of Spain's colonial footprint in Morocco and Equatorial Guinea, as we unearth the stories and legacies that shaped these regions. Through personal narratives and historical insights, this article reveals the complex interplay of culture, memory, and identity, inviting a reexamination of Spain's past actions and their lasting impacts. Join us on this reflective journey through history.
Revisiting Spain's Colonial Legacy in Africa
In this exploration, we embark on a journey to weave together the voices of contemporary Spain with the rich tapestries of memory from Morocco and Equatorial Guinea, aiming to breathe new life into the narrative of Hispano-African colonial history. Spain stands as one of the rare Western European nations yet to fully confront its colonial legacy in Africa—a silence that calls for urgent attention. Drawing from the vibrant schools of Postcolonial and Decolonial Studies, this quest is anchored in the profound insights of Santos and Meneses, alongside Quijano's critique of the enduring colonial imprint on power and knowledge dynamics. Despite colonialism's perceived retreat into history, the specter of coloniality persists, challenging us to re-examine historical consciousness and foster a communal narrative that honors the lived experiences of ordinary people, as championed by the pioneering works in Subaltern Studies. Our narrative endeavors to illuminate Spanish colonial history through the lens of everyday life, juxtaposing Spanish perspectives with those from Morocco and Equatorial Guinea. This comparative gaze not only enriches our understanding of Spain's colonial past but also paves the way for a more inclusive history, where diverse voices converge to craft a narrative of consensus. The epistemologies of the South, as articulated by Santos and Meneses, beckon us towards a more equitable recognition of global knowledge experiences, nudging the narrative towards a more horizontal understanding of history. At the heart of this discourse lies the intricate relationship between history and memory, viewed through the prism of ethnographic tradition and the anthropological commitment to understanding social processes. This perspective embraces oral histories and personal testimonies as pivotal to engaging with colonial memories and their place within popular consciousness. Noteworthy contributions by scholars like Boum and Ndonggo illuminate the potential of memory and history to challenge conventional narratives, underscoring the vitality of memory in contemporary cultural discourses worldwide. This endeavor seeks to reconstruct colonial history from the personal memories of Spaniards, Moroccans, and Equatorial Guineans, acknowledging the biases and constructed otherness that shape these recollections. By juxtaposing Spanish narratives with those from Morocco and Equatorial Guinea, this work aims to address the gaps in Spain's colonial history and challenge the colonial rhetoric that continues to influence perceptions in modern Spain. A review of the colonial past, through the voices of those who lived it, offers a means to confront Spain's historical invisibility in Africa and dismantle the preconceptions that have long shadowed the Hispano-African colonial narrative. This work aspires to transcend the imperial nostalgia that hinders a balanced and shared colonial history, drawing from past studies and literary explorations to present a more nuanced understanding of Spanish colonial experiences. Ultimately, this inquiry is not just a historical revision but an urgent call to acknowledge and integrate the diverse narratives of Spain's colonial past in Africa. As the witnesses of this history age, the opportunity to capture their stories becomes ever more precious, emphasizing the need for Spain to confront and rectify its colonial legacy. This work aims to foster a more inclusive and pluralistic understanding of the Hispano-African past, contributing to a collective memory that embraces the richness of all its voices.
Spanish Colonial Legacies in Morocco and Equatorial Guinea
Embarking on a journey that interweaves the rich methodologies of Cultural Anthropology with the nuanced study of the Anthropology of History, our exploration delves deep into the realm of oral narratives and the treasures hidden within documentary and archival vaults. Guided by the principle of participant observation and enriched by a diverse array of interviews, our voyage traverses the multifaceted landscapes of multisited ethnography, as conceptualized by Marcus. Drawing inspiration from the foundational insights of Thompson and Jelin, our mission sought to uncover the tapestry of life stories that span different eras, brought to life through the voices of those we encountered. This endeavor aimed to tilt the balance toward a more ethnographically nuanced comprehension, echoing the perspectives of Palmié and Stewart. Our investigation into the heart of Equatorial Guinea, particularly its mainland, commenced in 2015, with a period of intense fieldwork extending from 2004 to 2012. This journey was punctuated by yearly visits and further explorations across African and European terrains. Engaging with six Spaniards and 17 Equatorial Guineans, we delved into historical documents such as the mid-20th century "Resúmenes Estadísticos del Gobierno General de los Territorios Españoles del Golfo de Guinea" and the "Colección Giménez Ferrer." Within these collections, we discovered the narratives of Irmina Margenat and Ramón Reig, who spent many years living in Equatorial Guinea. In 2015, we also set foot in Morocco, building upon fieldwork experiences that date back to 1991. This leg of our journey involved conversations with 35 individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Spaniards, Riffians, and Moroccans from various regions. We explored archival treasures in Alcalá de Henares and sifted through editions of the "Heraldo de Alhucemas" along with other colonial-era publications. The visual stories captured in the NO-DO newsreels from the Franco era provided a vivid backdrop, illuminating the Spanish presence in Morocco and Equatorial Guinea and the evolution of colonial narratives as the era of colonization drew to a close. Our study delves into the intricate dynamics of Spanish colonization in Morocco and Equatorial Guinea, highlighting the unique aspects of Spanish settlement in these regions. From the establishment of the Spanish Protectorate in Morocco between 1912 and 1956 to the extended colonial engagement in Equatorial Guinea, underscored by the Treaty of El Pardo, the complexities of Spain's colonial ventures in Africa come to the fore. Al-Hoceima, with its stark Spanishisation, challenges the oft-touted narratives of Hispano-Moroccan camaraderie, revealing the uneven relationships between colonizers and the colonized that persisted until independence. Contrasting with the Moroccan experience, the narrative of Equatorial Guinea, particularly in mainland Río Muni and the city of Bata, showcases a different facet of Spanish colonization. Despite a smaller European presence, the Spanish influence on the socio-political and linguistic landscapes of Spanish Guinea is undeniable, highlighting the lasting impact of colonialism that extends beyond mere numbers. Through this exploration, we uncover the intricate parallels and divergences between Spanish colonial practices in Al-Hoceima and Equatorial Guinea. The apparent disinterest of the Spanish in cohabitation and the establishment of hierarchical social structures with the Riffians and Equatorial Guineans underscore the colonial mindset that dictated these interactions. By examining these comparative narratives, our study seeks to deepen the understanding of colonial experiences and legacies that continue to shape these regions today.
Family, Labor, and Legacy in Spanish Colonies
The voyage of Spaniards to their far-flung colonies was not solely driven by dreams of wealth; it also offered refuge for numerous Republicans escaping the chaos of the Civil War and its aftermath. My ethnographic journey uncovered two distinct migration patterns: the collective relocation of families to Al-Hoceima and the individual ventures of men to Fernando Póo and the mainland territories of the Spanish Gulf of Guinea, persisting until the 1940s. Al-Hoceima, within a brief span of fifteen years, evolved from a humble village into a thriving town, as Spanish families settled, weaving a fabric of life reminiscent of the Spanish mainland. My conversations with locals, like my insightful exchange with Pepe, illuminated the social layers of Al-Hoceima. Yet, it was striking how the narratives of Moroccans, who toiled daily in the city, remained overshadowed in his recounting. The scenario contrasted sharply in Spanish Guinea, where the sparse Spanish footprint and initial restrictions on female migration underscored a troubling gender imbalance and exploitation, especially of black women. As more Spanish women made their way, the social landscape subtly changed, though the essence of fragmented family life lingered, with many Spaniards frequently returning to the mainland. Unlike Al-Hoceima, where Moroccan stories scarcely permeate Spanish accounts, Spanish Guinea's narratives are rich with mentions of the African populace, vital for the plantations' operations. Letters from that era, like those penned by Irmina, reveal the tough conditions faced by Equatorial Guineans in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, suggesting a tangled matrix of economic and social interdependencies. Both colonies mirrored Spanish societal structures, from Al-Hoceima's entrenched social hierarchies to pervasive gender norms across the territories, sculpted by the ideologies of the era. Yet, the protectorate harbored a degree of freedom, relaxing certain norms and allowing cultural expressions such as carnivals, which were rare in mainland Spain. Nevertheless, an entrenched belief in Spanish superiority persisted, epitomized by Pepe's disbelief at the thought of living alongside Moroccans, highlighting a profound cultural divide. In Spanish Guinea, the lack of a substantial Spanish community, compared to Al-Hoceima, fostered a distinctive societal weave. The local elite, known as the Fernandinos, even established the first casino, marking a departure from traditional leisure activities. The colonial crisis and push towards provincialisation and autonomy gradually transformed gender roles, encouraging some Spanish women to join the workforce and marking the slow socio-political ascent of Equatorial Guineans. The tales of prosperity that Spaniards carried home conjured images of colonial success, yet glossed over the nuanced and transient nature of such wealth, especially in Spanish Guinea. Meanwhile, Al-Hoceima's economy, anchored in supporting the colonial military and administrative framework, charted a different course to prosperity, one not predicated on land exploitation. This colonial endeavor, while boosting the social stature of many Spaniards, left indelible marks on the indigenous families of the Rif and Equatorial Guinea, though in disparate ways. Riffian families, despite their daily endeavors in Al-Hoceima, clung to their familial ties, a stark contrast to many Equatorial Guineans who, driven to labor in distant locales, sometimes fled from the harsh conditions. Thus, the colonial project not only transformed the physical landscapes of these territories but also deeply influenced the lives and family structures of those within and beyond the Spanish settler community, casting a long shadow over Spain's colonial legacy.