[36] According to Aye, "Ikpa Ene could not carry the bulk of Iboku population, Ndodoghi had to accommodate what spilt over, and the two settlements, still under one rule, were separated by the left branch of the river which became their "inland sea". [19], The Ibibio origin of the Efik is one of the most popular among scholars. At Ughoton, to the southwest of Benin, a different type of mask is used, in the cult. Having associated broadly with foreigners in the pre-colonial era and . 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. Laws were passed to halt several practices regarded as unchristian. [38] It is believed that it was at Ndodoghi that many of the Abayen clan had died from crocodile attacks. At least in the past, very large sums were paid to attain these upper levels. [47] Antia Ekot Otong is regarded as one of the descendants of the patriarch Otong Ama Ide. Efik traders played a major role during the era of the Transatlantic slave trade. Oral tradition holds that a type of clothing known as "Itu ita" was the earliest fabric imported into Old Calabar. Archaeological evidence found that the group was extremely advanced in education for its time, and headed the construction of the Valley of the Kings. Cameroon's multilingual Cross River basin. An account from the Qua said the origin of the Ekpe people can be traced to Cameron. These secret societies were used to uphold the legal decisions of the Council of Elders or of the community as a whole, they also ensured conformity in certain rituals and in social behaviour and undertook certain public works for the community (n.d.). One account narrates that the Mbiabo group left first to their present location while the Iboku, Enwang and other clans were still at Ndodoghi. Have you ever thought about starting a secret society? Talbot asserts that a great cotton tree had fallen down on many of the Abayen and in their pride of numbers, they believed they could hold the cotton tree. Group members would disguise themselves as leopards, wearing leopard skins, carrying claw-like weapons, and attacking their prey. [44] [15] Ekereke and Ekereke further assert that the word was later changed to "Efik". "[18] References to the Igbo origin of the Efik were also made at the Hart's enquiry into the Obongship dispute where Etubom Efiom Obo Effanga asserted that the term "Iboku" meant quarrelsome Igbos. Cow meat was also consumed but the Efik native cow was rarely eaten or milked by the Efik. 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. [62][63] The first missionaries arrived in 1846. I am manyang Mathilda Nkwo of Akiriba village , upperbanyang and I am and still is oneof the oldest living practing manyangero in Manyu. Ethnographic - (Head crest, Ejagham People): Worn by a member of the Ekpe Society to intimidate and punish anyone who has broken tribal law. [53] It was common for Efik traders to take up trading names during the period of the transatlantic slave trade. It is also found among a number of other ethnic groups, including the Bahumono of the Cross River State, the Ibibio, the Uruan and the Oron of Akwa Ibom State, Arochukwu and some other parts of Abia State, as well as in the diaspora, such as in Cuba and Brazil. The Efik Language and Its Future. [23][24], The Oriental original is most popular among indigenous Efik historians such as E.U. They migrated from Bateka and settled in their current location in flight. [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. [48] Jeffreys theory is unpopular with a large majority of the Efik. Several periods have been estimated by foreign scholars and indigenous historians. The tentative program is as follows: January 27th and 28th, 2012. Today, it is no longer the same Ekpe society of decades ago. It was technically part of Nigeria, according to history, which was the reason we had the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). Historians recognize the advent and rapid rise of Ekpe as a direct result of a need for a new and effective mechanism of sociopolitical control in the complex economic environment created by the Atlantic slave trade. Within Nigeria, the Efik can be found in the present-day Cross River State and Akwa Ibom state. It is uncertain when Obutong was founded but most Efik scholars hypothesize that it was founded in the 16th century. "[20] Abaku is an Afro-Cuban men's initiatory fraternity, or secret society, which originated from the Ekpe society in the Cross River region of southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon. 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. [51] When the twins were older, they left for the opposite end of the island to Duke town. Original African systems of recording information in symbols include the Nsibidi script, of the Ekpe society of the Ejagham of Cameroon and Nigeria. 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. Nsibidi is a body of ideographic, abstract, and gestural signs deployed by the Ekpe society as a form of coded communication. The Internet has shone light on manysecret societies, rendering them not so secret. Children of Efik maternal descent are still regarded as Efik and have contributed to the development of the Efik society. And it's a symbol in both. (Ed.). Several accounts have been given on the migration from Creek town to Obutong. With the inception of the transatlantic slave trade, a number of foreign clothes were introduced into Efik society. All Ekpe members are hereby reminded that under Ekpe custom, we do not leave the lifeless body of our warriors in the battle field, and we certainly do not leave the remains of an Ekpe chief unguarded. Omissions? They are well respected agents of wealth distribution in the community. The Ekpe society is estimated by most foreign scholars to have been introduced into Old Calabar in the 18th century. "Egbo" redirects here. 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. English language is spoken in the South-Western part of Cameroon. The article was a not-so-deep exploration of indigenous African writing systems and languages. Welcome, Love, Peace and Unity in Nsibidi. [49] Several events at Creek town later led to a wave of migration from Creek town to Duke town. The society is somewhat akin to a free mason group and does some unofficial law enforcement. It described the religion, social, economic and political structures of the society as progressive and dynamic. Why do you think it is important for us to understand our past? The indigenous drums of the Cross River region of southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon are distinctive for their "wedge and ring" method of tightening the skin. Originally, items such as onions (Oyim mbakara) was rare in Efik meals. Explain. Google Scholar Aye, E. A. [76] Palm wine is acquired by making an incision on the palm tree, a process known as "tapping". The society is now seen as a fraternity along the masonic lines which tries to represent the interest of Efiks. [43] Stephen D. Behrendt and Eric J. Graham revealed in a 2003 publication that by the time the first documented European sailing vessel arrived in 1625, the Efik had already settled at Creek Town and Old Town. [82] The Portuguese are said to have arrived in masted ships. The remains will then be taken to Kepelle Village in Cameroon for burial after that. The primary society is located in the Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Arochukwu areas of Nigeria, and the secondary society consists of members from the Southern and Eastern Igbo groups of the same country. The process of creating this richly symbolic cloth is laborious. Due to the number of unfortunate incidents at Ikpa Ene and Ndodoghi, the Efik sought to leave these islands. The area from which the Sunjata Epic comes was historically: the geographical location of the great medieval African kingdoms - Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. Festival organised by Global Music Exchange (ht. Ekpe is a mysterious spirit who is supposed to live in the jungle and to preside at the ceremonies of the society. The Efik language was also spoken in several communities in Western Cameroon. Ekpe is a mysterious spirit who is supposed to live in the jungle and to preside at the ceremonies of the society. [78] Raffia palm clothing (Efik: f Ndam) could also be exported from other communities especially when a community made the best raffia clothing. JavaScript is disabled. After the decline of the slave trade, the Efik transitioned into the business of exporting palm oil from the Cross river. I was very poorno job and I has no money to even feed and take care of myfamily I was confuse in life I dont know what to do I try allmy possible best to get money but no one work out for meeach day I share tears, I was just looking out my family nomoney to take care of them until one day I decided to jointhe great Illuminati , I come across them in the internet Inever believe I said let me try I email them.all what theysaid we happen in my life just started it was like a dream tome they really change my story totally . The group has managed to stay mostly hidden for over more than 100 years. Several accounts have been narrated on the migration of the Efik before their arrival at Old Calabar. She said as a member of the Ekpe Society of the Efiks, she participates in the Ekpe activities. The story of The River Between by Ngugi wa Thiong'o, takes place in _________________ (name of present-day country) in the mid 1800's. In this light, the Cameroon National Council of Traditional Rulers would be a welcomed . The Leopard Society was allegedly a cannibalistic society in the early-to-mid 2oth century in Sierra Leone, Libera and Cte dIvoire. Over the years, the Victorian dress has been modified and given what is regarded as a dignified African look. [47], By the seventeenth century, more Efik settlements had been founded. Efik society consists of various clans which were originally known as "Esien Efik itiaba" (English: Seven clans of Efik) and later known in the 21st century as "Esien Efik Duopeba" (English: Twelve clans of Efik). Initiated into ekpe society at 9 as was done in those days and now not even a word is mentioned each time you talk about ekpe in manyu. 2017). 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. 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. Ekpe society was the first tribe to come up with this design and archaeologists have found traces of this fabric even in southwestern Cameroon. Free masons were originally an ancient Egyptian fraternity of builders, with Imhotep, as their founder and chief sculptor. This theory asserts that the Efik migrated from Palestine or somewhere close to Palestine. An entire topic will be dedicated to discussing the Ekpe society and its legacy in the near future. [50] Okoho Efiom bore twins whose paternal parentage have often been debated. 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 In the culture we have discussed, the term jamu refers to: each person's family name, which connects the person to a famous character in the story of Sunjata. 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. [54] The name "Agbisherea" (also known as Egbosherry) appended in the names of the two kings listed by Barbot, was the name of the country, on the coast of which they traded from. The Neegee or Crocodile Society is considered evil by the Poro and Sande groups. That is why Sisiku Ojong Orock after consultation with the other Ekpe members and Sisiku Mfonten Mbu decided to acquire his own Nkanda Lodge in April 2003. Ekpe Efik was used as a government instrument in Bakassi in exercising authority for more than 200 years ago [4]. [77] The fibre of the leaf-stalk of a palm was made into a thread and woven to make clothes and bags. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. [67] As of 1877, Alexander Ross reported that thirteen towns in the Cameroon region speak Efik and had an aggregate population of about 22,000. Names such as Okon became Hogan, Orok became Duke, Akabom became Cobham, Ene became Henry, Asibong became Archibong. Among the earliest proponents of the Ibibio origin theory are Consul Hutchinson who stated, "The present inhabitants of Duke town, Old town and Creek town are descendants of the Egbo shary or Ibibio tribe up the Cross River. A fraternal society that emerged in the western culture between the 16th and 7th century. Members of the Ekpe society are said to act as messengers of the ancestors ( ikan ). Due to the role they played during the era of the triangular trade, their prominence in literature and art, there has been a lot of academic scholarship on the people. Each grade has a chieftain or an Obong. For instance any member wronged in an Ekpe district, that is one dominated by the society, has only to address an Ekpe-man or beat the Ekpe drum in the Ekpe-house, or blow Ekpe as it is called, i.e., sound the Ekpe horn, before the hut of the wrong-doer, and the whole machinery of the society is put in force to see justice done. Wake Keeping, Viewing and service in Dallas, Texas. Aye provides the following names among these priest-kings including Ema Atai Iboku, Ekpe Atai Iboku, Ukpong Atai Iboku. (a) What are the Clowns trying to accomplish in this scene? Aye and Eyo Okon Akak. Right now, Ekpe . At its peak, it permeated the social, economic and political life of the Efiks but lately its dominance has been eroded as urbanization and modern political administration expanded. Hope Waddell, Foreign commerce soon brought Calabar affairs into such a state, that the want of a bond of union among the different families, and of a supreme authority to enforce peace and order between equals and rivals, became apparent; and the Egbo institution was adopted. These are: the oral historians, kings' advisors, poets, and musicians whose power is the ability to manipulate words. Alcoholic content may be increased via adding the red bark of Edat (Sacoglottis gabonensis) to the wine. 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. Goldie describes Eburutu as a country that consists of various ethnic groups. Charles Ekpo Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Nigeria The Cross River region is a vast socio-cultural mosaic which accommodates peoples of distinct ethnic, religious, social, economic and. Mr. . That it was through the Qua [an Ejagham or Ekoi stock], that the secret of Ekpe cult diffused to Calabar. The island is believed to be named after a fisherman from Mbiabo known as Ene Ankot. Although Duke town is believed to have been occupied since the 15th century by the Enwang, it was not until the 17th century that the Efiom Ekpo families moved in large waves to the site. While some explorers describe the Efik as travellers who past through the Ibibio country, others assert that the Efik are of Ibibio stock. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Aye dates the arrival of the Efik in Creek Town to the fourteenth century. [64] They insisted that Obutong be completely destroyed. In the case of the latter, in the heat of the confusion, villagers would be kidnapped and sent to Calabar were they were sold. They use a variety of masks to execute social control. She or he is a random of nature, a result of mixed up and confused spiritual genetics. The version of Sunjata we have read is not the only version because: No version was ever written down by a skilled jeli, since Mande traditional society considers any story written down to be "dead". [76], Prior to the introduction of European-styled clothing, the Efik wore loin clothes made of Raffia (Efik: Ndam). Click to expose navigation links on mobile. My party of 4 spent $400 at Space 220 in Disney World. When the threads are cut, the nsibidi designs stand out, white against a deep blue background. . Ethnographic - (Mask, Elephant, Cape, Chicken Feather); Elephant Mask with Chicken Feather Cape, Bekom People, Cameroon. [32] Aye argues that the Efik could not have taken the royal emblem of the Uruan people as they would have already had their own royal emblem. Due to the Obutong massacre of 1765 and several other incidents, the Ekpe society of Old Calabar was transformed into the Abaku cult in Cuba, the Bonk cult in Bioko and the Abakuya dance in mainland Equatorial Guinea. [47] On the founding of Obutong, Colonial anthropologist M.D.W. kp lodges ruled local communities while also managing regional and long-distance trade. Meat and fish are the major sources of protein in Efik cuisines. It is also used by the Igbo and Efik. Copyright Dr. Ivor L. Miller. I'm still struggling to understand her choice. No disrespect allowed. Infact; there can be no-gainsay of the USAK-EDET People (ISANGELE) being the originators of this highly acclaimed Ekpe Society that the EFIKS, led by EFFA EFFIWAT later on used in subduing their subjects of EFUTS, (i.e. Photo by Jordan Fenton. Nair dates the arrival of the Efik towards the end of the seventeenth century or the beginning of the eighteenth century. Among these secret societies were Ekpe, Obon and Nsibidi. the exhibition explores the long- [49] The Enwang are believed to have ruled Atakpa for a number of years. On behalf of Ekpe-USA Leadership, I hereby remind every member of Ngbe who has taken the aoth that our fathers and great grand fathers took to uphold those sacred traditions and beliefs, to immediately start preparations to do what they must do to send our brother to join our ancestors. Ekpe masquerade mimic the form of a lion or leopard moves. The Efik acted as the middlemen between the European vessels and the inland slave traders. Although Behrendt and Graham reveal that Calabar had been a major trading port since the first half of the seventeenth century, Efik historians such as Aye assert that the Efik had been trading with the Europeans since the last quarter of the 15th century. Living in what is now Southeast Nigeria and Southwest Cameroon, the people were physically divided by British and German colonial holdings in Africa. Ukara cloth, an indigo stitched and dyed cloth is significant to the people of Igbo land. Each ukara is highly individualized and clearly produced to be worn by a specific Ekpe member or to mark a specific Ekpe lodge. Origin Nsibidi symbols which are indigenous to Igbo, Ibibio, Efik, Annang and Ekoi/Ejagham members of the Ekpe society. They came from Mbiak Creek in Ibibio country. One of the most important castes in this society is the jeli caste. Ekpe means leopard, not lion. 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. [12] Due to the support of the missionaries, the Efik language became the language of religion. by Web Services Editor. [26] At Uruan, they were ruled by a number of priest-kings Ndidem. The Ekpe Society is a religious and cultural institution among the Efik people, it can also be found among the Annang and the Ibibios. Hope Waddell, Samuel Edgerley and four others. [22] This is further proven by Talbot who proves that other ethnicities appended the name "Eburutu" or "Oburutu" to their ethnic names. One theory states that the Efik and Uruan had separate religious customs and the Efik refused to worship the Uruan deity Atakpor Uruan Inyang. Oge ruru ka laja nyefee lasha r ya ma gaa rwa r e nyere ya ebe z. [37] When many of the Efik had left for Ndodoghi, a series of unfortunate events occurred. Ukara are made exclusively for members of the Ekpe society, an interethnic men's association found throughout southeastern Nigeria and western Cameroon. [51] The Enwang people who were fishing at Duke town saw the twins approaching and fled in terror saying "Mbiomo oduk ine"(English: A curse has befalling our fishing sites). Sunjata's victory against Sumaworo comes in part because: Sumaworo loses the support of his nephew, Fakoli. and Dahomean towns, and among the tribes of Congo and the Cameroon.17 According to the same author, Ngbe, was another society influenced by the Ekoi and originally considered Egb [Ekp]. There are said to be at least three mass migration from Ndodoghi. The ekpe society has spawned a large number of Nsbd . [53] Aphrom was a corruption of Ephraim which was an anglicised form of the Efik name Efiom. Determine the meaning of the italicized word in each sentence by examining the context. The Efik (Calabar) caste structure of Ekpe . The Ogboni fraternity is said to have a strong affiliation to royalty, gerontological system of governance and the law enforcement of the community. Her behavior at the board meeting was obsequious\mathit{obsequious}obsequious; for example, she actually offered to wash the company president's car! The group is a mutual aid society known for elaborate street dances and very high.
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