Ogoula Louis-Marie called « Ogoul’Eviva » « Eviva Z’Anomé » (1908-1974)
“The storm that awakens, awakens and liberates the conscience of Men” If you look through Gabon's political and social literature, you'll find nothing about Ogoul'EVIVA. However, some may still remember this phrase, with its dense symbolic content and, let's face it, difficult to decipher, which made him famous throughout Port-Gentil and certainly beyond:“Une pièce tombée dans l'eau OGOUL'EVIVA” (“A coin dropped in the water OGOUL'EVIVA”).A phrase that has been taken up as a rallying leitmotif, a bit like a “motto” by the children, young people and adults of the “oil city”, in the happiest as well as the most difficult moments experienced by the city of Port-Gentil.
But to focus solely on the “coin that fell into the water” would be to misunderstand what made the Eviva man so famous. Who was he and what did he do? OGOULA Louis-Marie, son of Owongw'Ayilé y'Elemba of the Avogo n'Aboulia clan and Marie Owanga Nkaviyo Y'Igwanga of the Assomba n'Ayamba clan, was born on July 1, 1908 in Port-Gentil into a large family of which he was the only son.
In 1923, he was sent to the urban school in Libreville by his uncle Onanga Emile “Mpolo”. When he finished his studies, he returned with a trunk full of books of all kinds, including encyclopedias. So, while some members of his family waited for him to return to the fold rich in money, Louis returned rich in culture, knowledge, and full of new ideas on how to fully live the values of the mother country “liberté, égalité, fraternité” in the French colony of Gabon. “Ntchiré” Spontaneous, irresistible, selfless desire to provide assistance, help or immediate protection to others whose dignity or rights have been violated, whose physical integrity has been disturbed or who have been oppressed.
« Onomé wi Ntchiré
Onwanto wi Ntchiré »
This is the man or woman who possesses the fiber, the sensitivity that enables him or her to “pounce = Go Tondomina”, to react with energy and authority to a situation of distress or injustice experienced by a third party (stranger) or a group of individuals. This ability can extend to patriotism. Defender of the weak, the oppressed and the cause of the people. The Eviva man gained fame in Port-Gentil because he was always ready to give of himself to defend his fellow citizens. Eventually, he became interested in politics. In the 50s, he and Richard Atendet founded the Union Populaire d'Action Sociale et Politique de l'Ogooué-Marime (U.P.A.S.P.O.M), whose aim was to defend the social, economic and political interests of Africans. He became its general secretary.
In 1953, OGOUL'EVIVA became a symbol of the defense of the dignity, interests and rights of the Gabonese people, particularly in a conflict between Gabonese and West African brothers. A sensitive context
It's worth noting that, rightly or wrongly, the Gabonese population harbored a series of grievances against their African brothers, commonly known as Popos/Aofiens. An atmosphere fostered by harmful attitudes of contempt, arrogance, mistrust, complacency and a feeling of superiority ended up fanning the embers likely to upset the balance of living together. The colonial administration preferred the latter in terms of employment, and paid them better wages. The Gabonese felt discriminated against in relation to other African workers, particularly from West Africa, thus putting the natives out of work.
It's worth noting that, rightly or wrongly, the Gabonese population harbored a series of grievances against their African brothers, commonly known as Popos/Aofiens. An atmosphere fostered by harmful attitudes of contempt, arrogance, mistrust, complacency and a feeling of superiority ended up fanning the embers likely to upset the balance of living together. The colonial administration preferred the latter in terms of employment, and paid them better wages. The Gabonese felt discriminated against in relation to other African workers, particularly from West Africa, thus putting the natives out of work.
(Story recounted by Oma, in collaboration with M. Yèno, Charly Mpaga, Ma Kombagozo).
