Due to the peregrinations of Efik traders across the lower Cross River region, The Efik language was regarded as the language of commerce in the Cross river region. It is a male-only society, and members are bound by secrecy. Plenty sugar cane live here and if some man must come for teach book proper, and make all men saby God like white man, and then we go on for same fashion. As Sidney Kasfir has pointed to (in reference to the Ekpe society in southeastern Nigeria and adjoining Cameroon), material, performative, and ritual structures in masking are not fused together but can be used to different ends and can travel different paths ( Kasfir 2019: 15). I hope Queen Victoria and young prince will live long time and we get good friend. [10] The original seven clans are scattered between Cross River state and Akwa Ibom state and consist of Iboku (Duke town, Henshaw town, Creek town and Cobham town), Obutong, Adiabo, Mbiabo (Mbiabo Edere, Mbiabo Ikot Offiong, Mbiabo Ikoneto), Enwang, Usukakpa and Abayen. Hood Quarterly, spring 2015 This exhibition examines the ukara cloth of the Ekpe secret society, a multi-ethnic all-male association in southeastern Nigeria and western Cameroon, exploring both the longstanding cultural practice the cloth represents and the artistic process involved in its creation. It proved to be the source of supreme authority in all Efik towns, and its institutions provided, in the past, the highest court whose verdicts transcended all else. Ekpe Efik was used as a government instrument in Bakassi in exercising authority for more than 200 years ago [4]. This is: After his "second birth", Waiyaki is brought to a sacred grove where: After the episode in the sacred grove, Waiyaki disappears from his home to: The two daughters of Joshua, Nyambura and Muthoni, have both been forbidden by their father to: Waiyaki tries to heal the conflict between the two ridges by: Waiyaki fails to achieve his goals because: The Language of Composition: Reading, Writing, Rhetoric, Lawrence Scanlon, Renee H. Shea, Robin Dissin Aufses, Edge Reading, Writing and Language: Level C, David W. Moore, Deborah Short, Michael W. Smith. Although used exclusively by members of Ekpe, ukara is produced by a sub-group in a village of the Ezillo community in present-day Ebonyi State in the Igbo area in southeastern Nigeria. Law and order in Efik society was maintained via a number of secret societies. Have you ever thought about starting a secret society? One of such accounts was given at a court case by Prince Bassey Duke in 1917 where he stated, "The Efiks were originally Ibo descendants. Imhotep was a revered personality as he was believed to be with super powers of healing and influencing people and affairs of the community. Google Scholar Aye, E. A. Adire Adire means 'tie and dye' in Yoruba. Probably about 8000 BC one group reached Nigeria by an overland route and settled at Ibom (Arochuku) there they erected the famous shrine now known as the Long Juju of Arochuku. When the threads are cut, the nsibidi designs stand out, white against a deep blue background. No disrespect allowed. The Efik in Nigeria have Nkanda as the basic Ekpe whereas, in Cameroon we have Ekpe as the starting point in Ekpe. Another theory narrated by Chief Efiom Obo Effanga of Obutong asserts that Antia Ekot Otong founded Obutong. (1985). Ethnographic - (Head crest, Ejagham People): Worn by a member of the Ekpe Society to intimidate and punish anyone who has broken tribal law. [1] The trade-off is that the Amama often control the majority of the community wealth. Mr. . [34] When the Uruan woman realised that Abasi had broken her axe, she insisted that the axe should be repaired. The society is still active at the beginning of the 21st century, now playing more of a ceremonial role. The Efik people are well known for a diverse number of cuisines. Social importance is attached to the highest ranks of Ekpe-men, called the Amama. What I want for dollar side is a fine coat and sword all same I tell you and the rest in copper rods. Members of the Ekpe society are said to act as messengers of the In a Somali tale, the main character, Eghal Shillet, is: a braggart and coward who finds every possible excuse to avoid going into battle. [15] This theory appears to be isolated as other Ibibio writers do not narrate that such terms were used by the Ibibio. Ed Keazor Follow Barrister-at-Law Advertisement Advertisement Recommended [47] At the time of their exit from Creek town, the reigning monarch of Creek town was their half brother Oku Atai Atai Ema Atai. [32] Oku adds that the Uruan were adverse to the Efik custom of burying strangers with their dead and did not share in the practice carried out by the Efik. Aye in 2000 does not mention the Efut as being the primary occupants. To cast light on African perspectives, and on the point of view of enslaved men and women, this group of top Africanist scholars has examined both conventional historical sources (e.g., European. The Efik Language and Its Future. According to Asuquo, Asibong Eso of Obutong was Old King Robin; Ekpenyong Efa of Adiabo was King John; Ani Eniang Nkot of Mbiabo Ikoneto was Robin King Agbisherea; Oku Ukpong Eton Ani of Mbiabo Ikot Offiong was William King Agbisherea; while Ukorebi Neneng Esien Ndem Ndem of Obomitiat Ikoneto was King Ebrero[55]. The Ekale and their famous shaking shoulders performing at the "Under the Volcano Festival", Limbe Cameroon. The practice and display of Ekpe masquerade have been modified. [61] One of such letters written by King Eyamba V and the chiefs of Old Calabar states: Now we settle treaty for not sell slave, I must tell you something, I want your Queen to do for we. An entire topic will be dedicated to discussing the Ekpe society and its legacy in the near future. Photo by Eli Bentor. [72] Prior to Akak, the theory were proposed at the Hart's enquiry by Chief Offiong Abasi Ntiero Effiwatt and Etubom Ededem Ekpenyong Oku.[25][26]. [6] The most popular historical accounts of Efik migration attest a movement from Ibom in Arochukwu to Uruan and from Uruan to numerous settlements along the lower Cross river. A fraternal society that emerged in the western culture between the 16th and 7th century. Sunjata's aunt, Tenenba Conde, childless herself, must raise the child Fakoli, son of Kosiya Kante, after Kosiya sacrifices herself for her brother's sake. English language is spoken in the South-Western part of Cameroon. kp philosophy is grounded in "Cross River region concepts of community that include the living, the ancestors, and the land itself" [ Ekpe being] "a school for esoteric teachings [ revealing] ideal stages in a person's life [ in their growth to] maturity within their communities [ framing terrestrial experience within the context of the Ukara cloth also consecrates the interior of Ekpe lodges, where larger versions of the cloth hang as backdrops. Among these included Yams, Fufu and an unidentified type of black soup frequently mentioned in 19th century Old Calabar literature. It described the religion, social, economic and political structures of the society as progressive and dynamic. Body art plays a major role in Ibibio art. The Ekpe society is estimated by most foreign scholars to have been introduced into Old Calabar in the 18th century. The Ekpe society is the most renowned traditional institution in Efik history. [77] Women wore a number of brass rings on their legs and arms. Aye and Eyo Okon Akak. The persistence oftheAbakua society contradicts the official construction ofa Cuban national identity. Ekpe, also known as Mgbe/Egbo (Ekoi language: leopard; derived from the Ibibio term for the same), is a West African secret society in Nigeria and Cameroon flourishing chiefly among the Efiks. Formerly the society earned a bad reputation due to what the British viewed as the barbarous customs that were intermingled with its rites. The cloth is made of plain cotton but transformed into a ritual object when nsibidi symbols are inscribed onto it through indigo dyeing. [74][75] JavaScript is disabled. [53] Some of the kings have been identified in the past by Etubom Ukorebi Ukorebi Asuquo in Aye's Efik people. The papers include photographs, audio and video recordings, publications, correspondence and printed material primarily relating to Miller's study of the linguistic, musical and ritual influence of West African kp society (predominantly in Nigeria and Cameroon) on . Posted on March 01, 2015 The Ekpe-men are ranked in seven or nine grades, for promotion to each of which fresh initiation ceremonies, fees and oaths are necessary.[1]. [46] On their exit from Obutong, they are believed to have sought the permission of Oku Atai to use the Ntinya. The earliest accounts are narrated in the second half of the 19th century by Explorers and missionaries. [44] [8] The bulk of the Efik can be found in Calabar. [76], Prior to the introduction of European-styled clothing, the Efik wore loin clothes made of Raffia (Efik: Ndam). "[21] Jeffreys assertion regarding Eburutu being a single Ibibio clan is proven false by earlier definitions of Eburutu by Rev. The three most popular theories include an Igbo origin, Ibibio origin and Palestinian origin. Among these missionaries were Rev. It is also used by the Igbo and Efik. The Ogboni is a fraternity indigenous to Nigeria, Benin and Togo. Determine the meaning of the italicized word in each sentence by examining the context. Nigeria and Cameroon (Lebialem and Manyu), Ekpe Society Resolutions from meeting held on September 16th 2011 in DC, Auto-Biography of Sisiku Emmanuel Ojong-Orock, Leader of Cameroonian Ekpe Lodge in Metropolitan DC. After the decline of the slave trade, the Efik transitioned into the business of exporting palm oil from the Cross river. The first letter of the word is correctly written as "" and denotes plurality. Prior to the arrival of the missionaries in 1846, many Efik traders were fluent in English and a number of African and European languages. The Efik speak the Efik language which is a member of the Benue -Congo subfamily of the Niger - Congo language group. Festival organised by Global Music Exchange (ht. One of the most important castes in this society is the jeli caste. The Efik language was also spoken in several communities in Western Cameroon. LEFT Ekpe cage during Ikot Ekpe ritual in 2009. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the Efik strategy for filling the international demand for slaves was via obtaining slaves from inland slave traders such as Eniong, Ndokki and Arochukwu. an extraordinarily powerful woman, who can change herself into a buffalo, the proud oldest daughter of a king, who insists on being respected, enraged by her brother's refusal to give her the inheritance she feels she is owed, guilt-ridden for having killed many of her brother's people, and for having pushed her youngest sister too hard and too soon into magical power. Having associated broadly with foreigners in the pre-colonial era and . The Ekpe society had become, by the time Antera Duke began his diary in 1785, the Efik's primary socio-political institution. [77] The fibre of the leaf-stalk of a palm was made into a thread and woven to make clothes and bags. These lettere were heeded to and in April 1846, the first missionaries arrived Old Calabar. Ukara are made exclusively for members of the Ekpe society, an interethnic men's association found throughout southeastern Nigeria and western Cameroon. 16, 2014 3 likes 6,498 views Download Now Download to read offline Education Spiritual Technology A short description of the ancient Ekpe Masquerade and its cultural and spiritual significance, in the life of the people of the Cross River basin. The earliest documented letter to an English captain from a chief of Old Calabar was written in 1770. The article was a not-so-deep exploration of indigenous African writing systems and languages. . [51] Due to the custom of killing twins, Edem Efiom is said to have aided Okoho Efiom in sneaking out of Creek town to Nsutana. They migrated from Bateka and settled in their current location in flight. Only males can join, boys being initiated about the age of puberty. The process of creating this richly symbolic cloth is laborious. [64] It took several years before the town was rebuilt.[64]. Meat and fish are the major sources of protein in Efik cuisines. The Ekpe is a men's society found in Abiriba, Aro-chukwu, Ohafia and many other Bende communities in Igbo land, it is a variation of the important Egbo Ejagham ( Ekoi) in the Upper Cross-River as well as the Efik Ekpe Society of Calabar. The island is believed to be named after a fisherman from Mbiabo known as Ene Ankot. [37] When the Efik realised what was going on, they rose to their feet and fought back. [15] Ekereke and Ekereke further assert that the word was later changed to "Efik". In the culture we have discussed, the term badenya refers to: the relationship between the mother and child, and full siblings - implying closeness, trust, cooperation, unselfishness, and acceptance of rules. http://Ekpesociety.blogspot.com; www.ekpe.org; http://Ekpesocietyusa.blogspot.com; http://ndiboyevengo.blogspot.com, Ekpe Society 1st Conclave from Sept 16 to 17 2009, Ekpe DC Sessekou relaxing during the conclave, Ekpe Society members with Justice Hilman Egbe at a MECA DC meeting, Ekpe Chief Maurice Enoh's funeral in Dallas on January 27th and 28th 2012, Maurice Enoh: The 1st Manyu Ekpe USA Sessekou to die in USA, Maurice Enoh returning from his crowning ceremony as Ekpe Chief in Kepelle Village, Ekpe-USA received at the Smithsonian Museum. Thanks for signing up for our daily insight on the African economy. LEFT Omabe Eze sewing an ukara, Ezillo, southeastern Nigeria. [40] Sunjata's sister, Kolonkan, angers her younger brother Manding Bori when she: uses her powers to take the internal organs from animals he and his brothers killed, without cutting the animals open. Dropping by to say, "Hi!" [33] Abasi was angered by the Uruan woman and cursed the Uruan people who started to punish her for her insubordination. The Ekpo/Ekpe society is a significant part of the Ibibio political system. [64] They insisted that Obutong be completely destroyed. The Ekpe Society is a religious and cultural institution among the Efik people, it can also be found among the Annang and the Ibibios. Click to expose navigation links on mobile. Other trading items sold by the Efik included rubber, ivory, barwood and redwood. Some of the musical instruments that are important in the culture we have discussed are: the bala (balaphon), a kind of xylophone, and the kora, a gourd harp. The ekpe society has spawned a large number of Nsbd . authority as head of the Ekpe (Egbo), or Leopard, society. [53] Aphrom was a corruption of Ephraim which was an anglicised form of the Efik name Efiom. [59] According to Rev. [32] At night when everyone had gone to sleep, the men from Uruan rose up and began to slaughter their hosts. [45] internal dissensions and population expansion led to the movement of several families from Creek Town to Obutong, Atakpa, Nsidung and Ekoretonko. In the culture we have discussed, the term fadenya refers to: the relationship between father and child, and half siblings - requiring self-assertion, independence, innovation, and competition. These they handcuffed, brought down to the canoes, and so proceeded up the river, till they got to the amount of 45, with whom they returned to New town, where sending to the captains of the shipping, they divided them among the ships.[56]. Members of the Ekpe society are said to act as messengers of the ancestors ( ikan ). Ekpe Efik was used as a government instrument in Bakassi in exercising authority for more than 200 years ago (E.O.Efiong-Fuller, 1996). In the traditional Soninke tale of "Gasire's Lute", the son of the king contributes tragically to the fall of his kingdom when he: becomes too impatient to become king himself, gets his own sons killed in battle, becomes a poet-bard rather than wait to become king, causes his own people to rebel against his desire to keep fighting. [82] The name Itu ita translates to three manatees and is named because the masts of the ship resembled the manatee (Itu). After World War II, a movement called the _____ Movement was founded by such writers as Leopold Sedar Senghor and Leon Damas, to support using Western literary forms, while writing in African languages. expectations of the members to prioritize the group over their own families. Hugh, Goldie. how to get a towing contract with geico university of west london ranking world university of west london ranking world Welcome, Love, Peace and Unity in Nsibidi. [26] Essien points out that Atakpor Uruan Inyang is one of the Efik deities and asserts that among the Uruan exists the saying "Ke Ndem Efik Iboku, Atakpor ke Ekuk", which can be interpreted to mean "Where there is the Efik deity, there is also Atakpor Uruan to share with it. [52] The breach of agreement to halt such practices was punished by blowing Ekpe on Obutong and forbidding funeral rites of the chief until the murderers were brought to justice. Hope all is well. LEFT Mgballa Ekpe lodge with Ekpe members, Arochukwu, southeastern Nigeria. The symbols are arranged in a grid, giving the cloths an orderly, symmetrical quality that is often reinforced by repeated patterns. They are well respected agents of wealth distribution in the community.. Proponents of this theory range from missionaries, explorers, colonial anthropologists and later historians. The Neegee or Crocodile Society is considered evil by the Poro and Sande groups. The Freemasonry's affiliation to the Imhotep is clearly evident and this is probably why they are accused of several conspiracy theories, since their objective is geared towards the restructuring and controlling of global affairs. Define monsoon, Sanskrit, raja, caste system, caste, Hinduism, reincarnation, karma, dharma, yoga, Buddhism, ascetic, nirvana. According to Simmons, "Most Informants maintain that the first people to Inhabit Creek Town were Efut fishermen from the southern Cameroons. kp lodges ruled local communities while also managing regional and long-distance trade. The term "Calabar people" was particularly popular prior to the nineteenth century and was synonymous to the Efik.[6]. The masquerade tradition itself is most popular in Calabar and the Oron nation of Udung-Ukko, Mbo, Urue-Offong Oruko, Okobo, as well as the Eket and Uruan local government areas in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria, and even western Cameroon. [53] It was common for Efik traders to take up trading names during the period of the transatlantic slave trade. Write the meaning in the blank. The instruments above are particularly important to our study of the Sunjata because: they are the traditional instruments of the jeliw who tell the story in public performance. Another account claimed that Efik people introduced the Ekpe between 1720 and 1729 during the initial migration of Calabar. According to E.U. In addition to ritual propitiation of forest spirits to ensure the well-being of the community, this graded secret male society made and enforced laws by fines, capital punishment, or boycotts; judged cases; maintained internal peace; and served as the executive. These Ngolo created the Ekpe society and invented the Nsibidi writing system in Usakadet (Isangele). Miller's current book, Voice of the Leopard (UP of Mississippi, 2008), documents the little known history of the Cuban Abaku, a mutual-aid institution derived from the Ekpe (leopard) society of the Cross River region of Nigeria and Cameroon. ,sister Watz. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Aye provides the following names among these priest-kings including Ema Atai Iboku, Ekpe Atai Iboku, Ukpong Atai Iboku. You are using an out of date browser. Powered by, Ukara cloth detail, Etara community, Cross River State, Nigeria, Cross River Cultural Heritage: reports from home and from the African Diaspora, Introduction: Spirit Dancers, Water Deities & Mystics in the Cross River Basin and in Cuba, Upcoming film project: Seven year kp ritual cycle, Ntufam Bob Oku literature, music and drawings, Calabar Mgb International Journal / Revista Internacional, Calabar-Cuba Radio with Ene Ita and Ivor Miller, Manyu kp Funeral Rites in Yaounde, 2019, Ivor Miller research archive at Amherst College, Manyu kp procession in Yaound, March 29, 2019, Poster for funeral of Seseku Stephen Tataw (1948-2019), Tortoise shell instrument is played in the funerary procession, kp mask purifies the hearse before the procession begins, Funerary shrine representing the sacred forest of kp, kp members surround the shrine for the final rites. What is a Free Agent "A free agent is one who isn't privileged with even one pure Leopard spiritline from the survivors of the Great Attempt. Group members would disguise themselves as leopards, wearing leopard skins, carrying claw-like weapons, and attacking their prey. Letters were also sent by King Eyo Honesty II to introduce missionaries and technocrats into the country with emphasis on the latter. I'm a queer mom and my daughter has decided to attend an anti-gay Bible college. The group is a mutual aid society known for elaborate street dances and very high. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The Ekpe society most likely originated among the Efik people of southern Nigeria and from there spread across other tribes and language groups in Southern Nigeria. Internal details about the membership and brotherhood demands of this ancient group is supposedly a top secret known only to the members. Membership in the Ekpe (Egbo), or Leopard, society, for example, available to wealthy men who can meet the expense involved, confers high social status and political authority; these men participate in ceremonies concerned with ancestral spirits and are believed to protect the community through magic and religious ritual. Living in what is now Southeast Nigeria and Southwest Cameroon, the people were physically divided by British and German colonial holdings in Africa. In his well researched thesis titled "Ekpe Imperium in South Eastern Nigeria", Anwana (2002) identified a plenitude of evidences to validate the Ejagham/Ekoi origins of the Ekpe society. [61] These papers were signed by the reigning monarchs of Creek town and Duke town who were Eyo Honesty II and Eyamba V.[61] King Eyamba and King Eyo had written letters to the British requesting that they bring in teachers to teach them trade and commerce and missionaries to aid them to know more about God. The main proponents of what is described as "Palestinean origin" is Eyo Okon Akak who wrote the book, "The Palestine origin of the Efik". [62][63] The first missionaries arrived in 1846. African literature has been disregarded as serious literature in the past because: Original African systems of recording information in symbols include the ______ script, of the Ekpe society of the Ejagham of Cameroon and Nigeria. The Osirica is a black Egyptian masonic order that existed in ancient Egypt. [67] Communities within the Calabar metropolis such as Efut, Kiong and Qua also speak and understand the Efik language. [6][7], The name Efik first appears in historical literature in the nineteenth century. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Calabar. Another account from the Qua claimed that Ekpe (Mgbe) migrated from Cameroon. Sunjata's victory against Sumaworo comes in part because: Sumaworo loses the support of his nephew, Fakoli. Instead, each settlement had its own lodge of the . the Ekpe society. Ekpe society was the first tribe to come up with this design and archaeologists have found traces of this fabric even in southwestern Cameroon. quickly adapted to fulfil other economic and civil functions. [39] At Ndodoghi, the Efik priest-king Ema Atai Ema Atai died and was succeeded by his son Eyo Ema Atai Ema Atai Iboku. Unblock notifications in browser settings.