Born: 1945, Equatorial Guinea
Died: 18 January 2017
Country most active: Equatorial Guinea
Also known as: NA
María Nsué Angüe was a prominent Equatoguinean writer and served as the Minister of Education and Culture. Born in Ebibeyin, Río Muni, she belonged to the Fang ethnic group, and her family immigrated to Spain when she was eight. Studying literature in Spain, María returned to Equatorial Guinea in her twenties after the country gained independence.
Her notable 1985 novel, “Ekomo,” marked a significant milestone as the first published novel by an Equatoguinean woman. The story revolves around Nnange, a Fang woman, reflecting on her struggles to find a cure for her husband’s illness and contemplating her role in society after his death. María’s literary contributions, including poetry, articles, and short stories, frequently address women’s rights and the impact of colonization on African society.”
In addition to “Ekomo,” María authored a volume of short stories titled “Relatos” (1999), drawing inspiration from traditional Fang stories and offering a critical perspective on the socio-economic situation in her country. She also ventured into multimedia with the CD-ROM project “Mbayah, o la leyenda del sauce llorón” (Mbayah, or the Legend of the Weeping Willow) in 1997, where she composed both the narrative and music, integrating traditional elements with modern technologies. María Nsué Angüe’s literary legacy continues to illuminate the oppression of women and the consequences of colonization in Equatorial Guinea.