Ekpe Efik was used as a government instrument in Bakassi in exercising authority for more than 200 years ago (E.O.Efiong-Fuller, 1996). Two nations; one language, culture - Daily Trust [61] Due to the fall in global demand for slaves and several other factors, the kings and chiefs of Old Calabar wrote to the British requesting that they send teachers and missionaries to Old Calabar to establish industries and introduce the religion of the white man to them. This village was originally named Ta Set Maat. In the Song of Ocol, Lawino's husband gives his side, arguing that: Ocol throws Lawino out of his house because: Ocol says that "__________________________ are chains around the neck, chains of slavery". The dress is often worn with ornaments such as necklaces and earrings made of coral beads. 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]. All willing to engage respectfully are welcome. 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. The term igo has also been used for the organization's members. I am a young researcher who have a great love for forest conservation, community . What's significant about the black fraternities and sororities in America is that they also trace part of their lineage to the Ekpe society of southeastern Nigeria. 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.). The Osirica is a black Egyptian masonic order that existed in ancient Egypt. The Efik are an ethnic group located primarily in southern Nigeria, in the southern part of Cross River State. The symbols are arranged in a grid, giving the cloths an orderly, symmetrical quality that is often reinforced by repeated patterns. of Old Calabar by the Ekpe secret society, which was controlled by the towns merchant houses. Cross River Cultural Heritage: reports from home and from the African 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. The Ekpe society requires that its initiates sponsor feasts for the town, which foster the appearance of the redistribution of wealth by providing the poor with food and drink. Photo by Eli Bentor. These lettere were heeded to and in April 1846, the first missionaries arrived Old Calabar. [78] Raffia palm clothing (Efik: f Ndam) could also be exported from other communities especially when a community made the best raffia clothing. A reconsideration of kp and Abaku suggests an agenda for the study of kp in diaspora from a different perspective. Dropping by to say, "Hi!" [53] It was common for Efik traders to take up trading names during the period of the transatlantic slave trade. Another theory which is narrated by Forde and Jones states that the name "Efik" translates to "Tyrants" or "He who oppresses" and was the name of which the Efik called themselves after they had settled at Creek town.[12]. The Ekpe Society is a religious and cultural institution among the Efik people, it can also be found among the Annang and the Ibibios. [74][75] Originally, items such as onions (Oyim mbakara) was rare in Efik meals. Thanks for signing up for our daily insight on the African economy. Ed Keazor Follow Barrister-at-Law Advertisement Advertisement Recommended Ekpe means leopard, not lion. One-word searches work best.Use AND to require multiple terms: LEFT Small ukara with minute patterned design and Omu Aro symbol. 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. Oge ruru ka laja nyefee lasha r ya ma gaa rwa r e nyere ya ebe z. Among these laws were the Abolition of twin-killings, abolition of the esere bean ordeal, abolition of human sacrifices and several other practices. [70] Several meals were composed of yam such as Usu abia, Iwk abia, Afia abia, sb abia, Edifrai abia and fp abia. 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. It is a male-only society, and members are bound by secrecy. The society is not a 'secret society or a cult,'3 what is secret is the representations of its emblem in material symbol - the ekpe stone and the nsibidi (sign language). 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. Black Spirituality Religion : - Ekpe Society | Destee - Black While their political authority is largely diminished today, Ekpe membership is still prestigious and the society continues to be a unifying force among the Ejagham, Igbo, Efik, Ibibio, and other cultural groups in the Cross River region. The society is now seen as a fraternity along the masonic lines which tries to represent the interest of Efiks. PDF Hood MuseuM of Art, dArtMoutH College There are said to be at least three mass migration from Ndodoghi. (b) Analyze Cause and Effect: What events prevent their success? [42] K.K. The Ekpe society, the regulatory society in Manyu Division also fixed a heavy fine on any defaulter. The year 1841 marked the official signing of papers by Efik kings to stop the exportation of slaves from Old Calabar. ugly and deformed, but predicted to be the mother of a great king. [52] A number of people were hanged, shot and buried with the late chief according to the custom. [45] What is most certain is that the Efik arrived Creek Town led by Edidem Eyo Ema Atai together with Oku Atai Atai Ema Atai, Ukpong Atai Atai Ema Atai, Adim Atai Atai Ema Atai, Efiom Ekpo Efiom Ekpo and several others. [11] The bulk of the Enwang and Usukakpa are located in the present-day Akwa Ibom state. In Cuba, the Ekoi are always evoked as early founders of the Abaku society,18 and their spirits are worshiped. Have you ever thought about starting a secret society? The design is left to the discretion of the Ezillo creators, who are not Ekpe members and do not know the meanings of nsibidi. [32] Another theory states that there was a disagreement between an Efik woman known as Abasi and an Uruan woman. Only males can join, boys being initiated about the age of puberty. According to Simmons, "Most Informants maintain that the first people to Inhabit Creek Town were Efut fishermen from the southern Cameroons. The Ekpe society may be regarded as one of the most important institutions among the Efik people. Our newsletter gives you access to a curated selection of the most important stories daily. To be a member, one must be a part of Yoruba nobility. 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. Among these included Yams, Fufu and an unidentified type of black soup frequently mentioned in 19th century Old Calabar literature. African Script - Culture - Nigeria (1985). (a) What are the Clowns trying to accomplish in this scene? Opinions expressed belong solely to the author and do not represent the views of other Members, Management, or the Community at large. Welcome to brotherhood Illuminati where you can becomerich famous and popular and your life story we be changetotally my name is Dan Jerry I am here to share mytestimony on how I join the great brotherhood Illuminatiand my life story was change immediately . "[20] PDF Symbolic values of clothing and textiles art in traditional and [50] Okoho Efiom bore twins whose paternal parentage have often been debated. During weddings, the bride wears at least two different nyny. Over the years, the Victorian dress has been modified and given what is regarded as a dignified African look. The Efik people occupy the basins of the Lower Cross River, down to southwestern Cameroon including Bakassi, the Calabar River and down to its streams - the Kwa River, Akpayafe (Akpa Ikang) and the Eniong Creek. It became a truly multi-group society, finding its' way to almost all groups in the region and gaining dominance in . [52] The Captains wrote the acting consul who was stationed at Fernando Po. Ekpe cult, the leopard cult, and a male masquerade cult of the Efik, in cross river state of Nigeria, followed by Doomsday cult (prediction of total destruction of planet earth), then the. 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]. [5] The Efik refer to themselves as Efik Eburutu, Ifa Ibom, Eburutu and Iboku. Sunjata's victory against Sumaworo comes in part because: Sumaworo loses the support of his nephew, Fakoli. [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. [52] These atrocities angered the missionaries and European captains alike. 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. In such cases, the Ekpe Society is seen as the . [34] When the Uruan woman realised that Abasi had broken her axe, she insisted that the axe should be repaired. It described the religion, social, economic and political structures of the society as progressive and dynamic. An entire topic will be dedicated to discussing the Ekpe society and its legacy in the near future. One of Thompson's pupils, Ivor Miller, has now produced a noteworthy study, concentrating specifically on one particular secret society, Ekpe, of the Cross River region of southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon; its transfiguration on Cuban soil into the Abakua society; and the ensuing effect of Abakua in shaping all aspects of the . a king whose attempts to have a special son lead him to make bargains with one Islamic missionary and two noble travelers. Efik traders could speak, write and read the English language. The cloth is made of plain cotton but transformed into a ritual object when nsibidi symbols are inscribed onto it through indigo dyeing. 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. [59] Ekpe is first mentioned in the historical literature of Old Calabar in the 1770s. The Ekpo/Ekpe society is a significant part of the Ibibio political system. Prior to the inception of the transatlantic slave trade, the Efik had experienced a series of migration before their arrival along the coasts of Old Calabar. The Decline of Ekpe Masquerade amongst the Efik Speakers Enyi laja na lasha b nyeere ha aka idi nsogbu nd baara ha.