The Efik acted as the middlemen between the European vessels and the inland slave traders. The Neegee or Crocodile Society is considered evil by the Poro and Sande groups. Hall Fund. The Osirica is a black Egyptian masonic order that existed in ancient Egypt. Omissions? 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). The origins of these symbols date way before colonization, but, from my understanding, the use of these symbols died out as the influence of Ekpe secret society lessened. [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. You been do very proper for we, and now we want to keep proper mouth. The Efik language was also spoken in several communities in Western Cameroon. For the surname, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Art and Life in Africa: Eket Information" University of Iowa, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ekpe&oldid=1101939539, This page was last edited on 2 August 2022, at 15:27. The Ekpe Society is a religious and cultural institution among the Efik people, it can also be found among the Annang and the Ibibios. [69] The Ekpe spirit cannot be seen by the uninitiated and is represented by Idem Iquo, a masquerade dressed in Esk, a multicoloured costume decorated with other traditional accoutrements. Ikpa Ene was a virgin island on the banks of the Cross river. Group members would disguise themselves as leopards, wearing leopard skins, carrying claw-like weapons, and attacking their prey. Some other clothings introduced into the market include smit, brutanya, isadh and nkisi. The Efik Language and Its Future. The Ekpe Society or Mgbe society as it is also fondly called is very reputable and covers a wider range of ethnic groups such as: the Efut; the Efik; the Qua-Ejegham, and the Okonko ( the Igbo-speaking areas). 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. [69] The society is divided into five main grades such as Nkanda, Oku akama, Nyamkpe, Okpoho and Ebonko. According to Historians, this technique of indigo-dyeing was developed in the Dogon kingdom in Mali (West Africa) dating back to the 11th century. 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 Goldie describes Eburutu as a country that consists of various ethnic groups. Photo by Eli Bentor. Dropping by to say, "Hi!" . The Amama often appropriate hundreds of acres of palm trees for their own use and, with the profits they earn, ensure that their sons achieve comparable rank, which has the effect of limiting access to economic gain for other members of the community. Our newsletter gives you access to a curated selection of the most important stories daily. The society combines a kind of freemasonry with political and law enforcing aims. Several periods have been estimated by foreign scholars and indigenous historians. The group believes that when they eat human flesh, they gain the ability to transform into a crocodile. Among the Southern Igbo, the Ekpe society, introduced from the Cross River area, uses contrasting masks to represent the maiden spirit and the elephant spirit, the latter representing ugliness and aggression and the former representing beauty and peacefulness. The images, ideology, and secrecy associated with kp have been studied for more than one hundred years, and yet crucial features of the history of kp and its transformation have been neglected. ________. 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. Within Nigeria, the Efik can be found in the present-day Cross River State and Akwa Ibom state. [50] Okoho Efiom bore twins whose paternal parentage have often been debated. Proponents of this theory range from missionaries, explorers, colonial anthropologists and later historians. [51] When the twins were older, they left for the opposite end of the island to Duke town. Ndibo Yevengo- Abakua & Ekpe events; Cuba-Calabar Radio . They are well respected agents of wealth distribution in the community.. It is a male-only society, and members are bound by secrecy. Due to the rise of Calabar as a commercial centre since the 18th century, Efik settlements experienced a high rate of inward migration consisting of Sierra Leoneans, Lebanese, Cameroonians, Jamaicans and several other communities. 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 Ekpe society is estimated by most foreign scholars to have been introduced into Old Calabar in the 18th century. Have you ever thought about starting a secret society? "[21] Jeffreys assertion regarding Eburutu being a single Ibibio clan is proven false by earlier definitions of Eburutu by Rev. 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. This exhibition, on view from April 18 to August 2, was organized by the Hood Museum of Art, Dartmouth College, and generously supported by the William B. Jaffe and Evelyn A. Within Nigeria, the Efik can be found in the present-day Cross River State and Akwa Ibom state. La communaut cubaine Abakudescendante des communauts fik Ekp et Ejagham gb du Sud Est du Nigria et du Sud Ouest du Camerouna t fonde la Havane dans les annes 1830 par des leaders capturs des villages de Cross River. Efik names were often anglicised to gain the trust of European traders. Mr. . Formerly the society earned a bad reputation due to what the British viewed as the barbarous customs that were intermingled with its rites. cherryblossom wrote on watzinaname's profile. [30][31] Another reason given by Etubom Ededem Ekpenyong Oku asserts that the Uruan accused the Efik of wizardry and of being responsible for the frequent seizure of their children by crocodiles. 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. After the tapping process, the wine is left to ferment for five hours. authority as head of the Ekpe (Egbo), or Leopard, society. [14], The name "Efik" translates to "Oppressors" and is derived from the Efik-Ibibio verb root "Fik" (English: Oppress). Sunjata's half-brother, Dankaran Touman, enrages Sunjata and nearly causes civil war by: murdering an innocent young man, thinking he is Sunjata. A delegation of kp 'leopard' society initiates, as well as family members, traveled from Mamfe, Manyu Division of southwest Cameroon, to Yaound, the Cameroon capital to honor and reclaim the body of their leader and father, who had recently transited to the ancestors. [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. Adire Adire means 'tie and dye' in Yoruba. [52] A number of people were hanged, shot and buried with the late chief according to the custom. Upon leaving the Cameroon territory, the Ibibio arrived at their present location following two major directions. [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". All willing to engage respectfully are welcome. The Efik in Nigeria have Nkanda as the basic Ekpe whereas, in Cameroon we have Ekpe as the starting point in Ekpe. [79] Ikpaya a royal type of gown also made from raffia. [68] The society is believed to have been introduced in Calabar from Usahadet. [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. 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. It is uncertain the specific year that the Efik arrived Creek Town. Papers documenting the research materials and scholarly work of Dr. Ivor L. Miller in cultural studies of the African Diaspora. Only males can join, boys being initiated about the age of puberty. [37] A captured invader confessed that they were set to retrieve royal emblems which they believed the Efik had taken with them when they left Uruan. I am manyang Mathilda Nkwo of Akiriba village , upperbanyang and I am and still is oneof the oldest living practing manyangero in Manyu. In part because of their appropriation, exclusive use, and understanding of nsibidi, Ekpe members in the pre-colonial past were thought to have access to the spiritual realm and were, therefore, empowered to make and enforce societal rules and norms. Ekpe masquerade mimic the form of a lion or leopard moves. Another account claimed that Efik people introduced the Ekpe between 1720 and 1729 during the initial migration of Calabar. [13] Throughout the centuries, Efik traders traded with the Portuguese, Dutch, English and French. The nsibidi may convey meaning either singularly or in groups, and each sign may be figurative, geometric, or abstract, or may represent a physical object, concept, or narrative. [51] Nsutana was a dreaded island where twins were abandoned to die. of Old Calabar by the Ekpe secret society, which was controlled by the towns merchant houses. The practice and display of Ekpe masquerade have been modified. 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 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. 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. I hope some Man-of-War come sometime with proper captain all same you look out and help we keep word when French Man-of-War come. At least in the past, very large sums were paid to attain these upper levels. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. 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]. Ekpe members request nsibidi designs of personal or communal significance. Here's a look inside. [65] Although the missionaries and rulers of Creek town and Duke town protested, their protests fell on deaf ears. Here is a list of some of Africa's most prominent cults of all time: The Ekpe is a secret society that lives mostly in Nigeria and whose members are typically law enforcers and politicians. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [9][38] The Adiabo group is believed to have left to their present location after the Mbiabo exodus. Original African systems of recording information in symbols include the Nsibidi script, of the Ekpe society of the Ejagham of Cameroon and Nigeria. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). [77] Women wore a number of brass rings on their legs and arms. Okoho Efiom bore the twins at Nsutana and raised them up for years. The history of the Efik is one of the most documented in subsaharan Africa. 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. two young foreign men to whom she gives the power to defeat her. [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. Instead, each settlement had its own lodge of the . I Am Niki Buroro Agbor Ekpe Jerome a holder of a professional Masters in Forestry and wildlife Engineering with focus on Protected Area Management, Masters of Science in Forest Governance and policies from University of Dschang and Professional Masters in Environmental Science (ESIA) university of Yaounde 1. The Ekpo/Ekpe society is a significant part of the Ibibio political system. Living in what is now Southeast Nigeria and Southwest Cameroon, the people were physically divided by British and German colonial holdings in Africa. [76], Prior to the introduction of European-styled clothing, the Efik wore loin clothes made of Raffia (Efik: Ndam). 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 article was a not-so-deep exploration of indigenous African writing systems and languages. This created a need for Ekpe DC to have a full Ayamba Nkanda (Nkanda Chief). Meat and fish are the major sources of protein in Efik cuisines. [9] The Efik have also been referred to as "Calabar people" in historical literature. An entire topic will be dedicated to discussing the Ekpe society and its legacy in the near future. 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 most likely originated among the Efik people of southern Nigeria and from there spread across other tribes and language groups in Southern Nigeria. They migrated from Bateka and settled in their current location in flight. [34], On leaving the Uruan country, the Efik migrated to Ikpa Ene which is nicknamed Akani Obio Efik(English: Old Efik island). Corrections? Copyright Dr. Ivor L. Miller. 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 . [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. In Amos Tutuola's The Palm-Wine Drinkard, the narrator leaves his home and begins his adventure in the bush when: In the excerpt that we read from The Palm-Wine Drinkard, the narrator and his wife encounter: In the Song of Lawino, by Okot p'Bitek, a woman speaks to: Lawino's husband's new wife is called _______________________(Either of two possible answers) in the text. 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). [16] Baikie said Ibibio are traced to the Igbo. (Ed.). Cameroon's multilingual Cross River basin. Members of the Ekpe society are said to act as messengers of the ancestors ( ikan ). I'm still struggling to understand her choice. 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. The Ekpe society may be regarded as one of the most important institutions among the Efik people. In a Somali tale, the main character, Eghal Shillet, is: a braggart and coward who finds every possible excuse to avoid going into battle. In this light, the Cameroon National Council of Traditional Rulers would be a welcomed . There are two distinct but related societies. ekpe society cameroonworld market toblerone. No disrespect allowed. At Old Calabar, traders had slowly started transitioning completely into the lucrative palm oil trade. Abakua is an Afro-Cuban mens secret society related to the Ekpe. The destruction of Obutong occurred in 1854. jamba juice turmeric smoothie recipe; sainsbury's locksbottom parking charges; ekpe society cameroon; June 11, 2022; small mortuary obituaries mobile, alabama . Cow meat was also consumed but the Efik native cow was rarely eaten or milked by the Efik. The persistence oftheAbakua society contradicts the official construction ofa Cuban national identity.