ekpe society cameroon

[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. I'm still struggling to understand her choice. 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. Upon leaving the Cameroon territory, the Ibibio arrived at their present location following two major directions. 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. "[29] Essien's criticism is supported by the fact that in some Efik trado-religious songs, Atakpor Uruan is greatly extolled. Ekpe Efik was used as a government instrument in Bakassi in exercising authority for more than 200 years ago (E.O.Efiong-Fuller, 1996). [32] At night when everyone had gone to sleep, the men from Uruan rose up and began to slaughter their hosts. That it was through the Qua [an Ejagham or Ekoi stock], that the secret of Ekpe cult diffused to Calabar. [49] Prior to the arrival of the Efiom Ekpo group, oral tradition has it that when some Efik migrated to Creek town from Ndodoghi, The Enwang did not join them but migrated to the present site of Duke town. They migrated from Bateka and settled in their current location in flight. Imhotep was a revered personality as he was believed to be with super powers of healing and influencing people and affairs of the community. The traditional attire for men usually consists of a white long-sleeved shirt, a long broad soft neckerchief or scarf of costly material (Efik: kpmkpm) and a wrapper tied around the waist (Efik: Usobo).[83]. Some other clothings introduced into the market include smit, brutanya, isadh and nkisi. According to E.U. Originally, the Efik obtained slaves by going to war with other communities or creating confusion in other communities. Determine the meaning of the italicized word in each sentence by examining the context. We thank you too much for what thing you come do for keep thing right. The group believes that when they eat human flesh, they gain the ability to transform into a crocodile. PDF The Origin of Ekpe Masquerade and the Nsibidi symbols in Southern 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. Eli Bentor, Professor of Art History at Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, speaks about the history of ukara cloth and moderates a discussi. Aye provides the following names among these priest-kings including Ema Atai Iboku, Ekpe Atai Iboku, Ukpong Atai Iboku. The presentation, by Ekpe members from Cameroon, Nigeria and Cuba was arranged by Chief Dr. Ivor Miller and coordinated by Sessekous Ojong-Orock, Joseph Mbu and Mbe Tazi. Efik Traditional Attires The Efik are an ethnic group - RefinedNG Instead, each settlement had its own lodge of the . Individual symbols may also have multiple meanings, rendering context important and interpretation inevitable in the "reading" of the body of represented signs. Free masons were originally an ancient Egyptian fraternity of builders, with Imhotep, as their founder and chief sculptor. Several accounts have been narrated on the migration of the Efik before their arrival at Old Calabar. [26] At Uruan, they were ruled by a number of priest-kings Ndidem. Cameroon-Nigeria Relations, 1884-1961: A Study in Political, Economic and Social Interactions Between Two Nigerian Neighbouring States. They believed feasting on a human strengthened their bonds. 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. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. 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. In the culture we have discussed, the term dalilu refers to: an individual's personal power, knowledge, or ability, inborn but enhanced and developed through training and experience. [38] It is believed that it was at Ndodoghi that many of the Abayen clan had died from crocodile attacks. 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. You been do very proper for we, and now we want to keep proper mouth. [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. Iboku, Enwang, Usukakpa and Abayen. Among these included Yams, Fufu and an unidentified type of black soup frequently mentioned in 19th century Old Calabar literature. For the first time in history, Ekpe had a presentation at the highest institution of cultural anthropology in the world, the Smithsonian Museum. [77] Women wore a number of brass rings on their legs and arms. [76] Uffp (native gin) is distilled from palm wine and is sometimes mixed with the bark of Edat to increase the alcoholic content. An entire topic will be dedicated to discussing the Ekpe society and its legacy in the near future. [6][7], The name Efik first appears in historical literature in the nineteenth century. The Oroko (also Bareka/Batekka) are an ethnic group in Cameroon.They belong to the coastal Bantu group, widely known as Sawa, and primarily occupy the Ndian and Meme divisions of the Southwest Region of Cameroon.The people predominantly speak Oroko, English, and Cameroon Pidgin English.The Oroko are related to several ethnic groups (or tribes) in Cameroon's coastal areas, with whom they share . The Ekpe society is estimated by most foreign scholars to have been introduced into Old Calabar in the 18th century. [69] The society is divided into five main grades such as Nkanda, Oku akama, Nyamkpe, Okpoho and Ebonko. Aye, Originally Ekpe Fraternity was for religious purposes, but as the Calabar community became complicated owing to the new wealth which the early trade with Europeans brought it was. Only males can join, boys being initiated about the age of puberty. 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. [38] The Efik bard Adiaha Etim Anua recites in her 1910 ballad that "Mkpana Ndodoghi Edik. At Ughoton, to the southwest of Benin, a different type of mask is used, in the cult. Transformation of the kp Masquerade in the African Diaspora Enyi laja na lasha b nyeere ha aka idi nsogbu nd baara ha. I hope Queen Victoria and young prince will live long time and we get good friend. Another theory narrated by Chief Efiom Obo Effanga of Obutong asserts that Antia Ekot Otong founded Obutong. ukara: Ritual Cloth of the Ekpe Society features the ukara cloth, a composite signifier of authority, prestige, sacrality, difference, and social mobility in the Ekpe secret society in the Cross river basin encompassing southeastern Nigeria and parts of Cameroon. 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. 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. Photo by Eli Bentor. Names such as Okon became Hogan, Orok became Duke, Akabom became Cobham, Ene became Henry, Asibong became Archibong. Ivor Miller - AfroCubaWeb [59] Ekpe is first mentioned in the historical literature of Old Calabar in the 1770s. Meat and fish are the major sources of protein in Efik cuisines. [64] They insisted that Obutong be completely destroyed. The Ogboni is a fraternity indigenous to Nigeria, Benin and Togo. Sample Translation: The Sacred Language of the Abaku - JSTOR Written March 01, 2015 by Web Services Editor, Guarini School of Graduate & Advanced Studies, Copyright 2023 Trustees of Dartmouth College. Oroko people - Wikipedia Corrections? clothing stores in columbia mall 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]. Nsibidi | Eneke The Bird [77] The fibre of the leaf-stalk of a palm was made into a thread and woven to make clothes and bags. But most importantly, it should be mentioned that if its members did not support the ostensible reality of ekpe, as a thing to be feared and appeased, then the At Old Calabar, traders had slowly started transitioning completely into the lucrative palm oil trade. All willing to engage respectfully are welcome. Sunjata's victory against Sumaworo comes in part because: Sumaworo loses the support of his nephew, Fakoli. Due to the number of unfortunate incidents at Ikpa Ene and Ndodoghi, the Efik sought to leave these islands. One theory states that the Efik and Uruan had separate religious customs and the Efik refused to worship the Uruan deity Atakpor Uruan Inyang. Nair dates the arrival of the Efik towards the end of the seventeenth century or the beginning of the eighteenth century. Internal details about the membership and brotherhood demands of this ancient group is supposedly a top secret known only to the members. The dress is often worn with ornaments such as necklaces and earrings made of coral beads. Traditional societies and social change in Nigeria: a study of Ekpe [72] Iwewe is also regarded as a sacrificial meal often prepared for the Efik deities. PDF Hood MuseuM of Art, dArtMoutH College The three most popular theories include an Igbo origin, Ibibio origin and Palestinian origin. 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. 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. [47] On the founding of Obutong, Colonial anthropologist M.D.W. 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. As the slave trade was declining due to the strong global campaign against it, the effects on slave trading ports along the African coast was greatly experienced. 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. Historians and archaeologists have worked to piece together the human story from prehistory up to today. laja Tachiri Obi Ruo gwgw: O Nyefere lasha r Ya It is uncertain the specific year that the Efik arrived Creek Town. Simple theme. A fraternal society that emerged in the western culture between the 16th and 7th century. Among these secret societies were Ekpe, Obon and Nsibidi. [11] The bulk of the Enwang and Usukakpa are located in the present-day Akwa Ibom state. Working with both kp and Abaku leaders, he has documented the foundation of the society in 19th . [45] internal dissensions and population expansion led to the movement of several families from Creek Town to Obutong, Atakpa, Nsidung and Ekoretonko. To be a member, one must be a part of Yoruba nobility. Cameroon with the Ekpe cult. [81] Other narratives at the Hart's enquiry do not make mention of the Efut. Ekpe translates to Leopard in the Efik language and is believed to be a spirit that resides in the forest. [73] The Efik native cow (English: Ena Efk) was regarded with some amount of reverence and was mainly killed on rare occasions such as the festival for the installation of a new priest king. The Ekpe Masquerade Jun. NSUWorks - Nova Southeastern University Institutional Repository Ekpe Society - Odinani: The Sacred Arts & Sciences of the Igbo People There are two distinct but related societies. Original African systems of recording information in symbols include the Nsibidi script, of the Ekpe society of the Ejagham of Cameroon and Nigeria. Ikpaya is now worn by an Obong-elect during the traditional coronation ceremony. In Cuba, the Ekoi are always evoked as early founders of the Abaku society,18 and their spirits are worshiped. The ekpe society has spawned a large number of Nsbd . . The Ekpe Masquerade Secret Cult of Efik People Of Nigeria [12], The Efik were noted for their involvement in the slave trade were they acted as slave traders and middlemen between the inland slave traders and the Europeans. 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. Bell of King Eyo Honesty II at Creek Town, Ekeng ita (also known as James Henshaw), Obong of Henshaw Town (c.a 1875). [71] Meals such as Iwewe were fed to children and old people with no teeth or fragile teeth. According to Parker, When there, Dick Ebro' asking him to go to war with him, he complied, and accordingly having sitted out and armed the canoes, they went up the river, lying under the bushes in the day when they came near a village; and at night flying up to the village, and taking hold of every one they could see. The earliest accounts are narrated in the second half of the 19th century by Explorers and missionaries. The Ekpo/Ekpe society is a significant part of the Ibibio political system. In modern-day Efik society, nyny is worn on various occasions such as weddings and traditional events. LEFT Ekpe cage during Ikot Ekpe ritual in 2009. [62][63] The first missionaries arrived in 1846. This is evident in a testimony by Isaac Parker, a ship-keeper who lived at Duke town in 1765 for 5 months. The cloth is then dipped in indigo dye and hung to dry.