ekpe society cameroon ekpe society cameroon

[32] The men were wet and complained of hunger and fatigue. The ethnic group to which most of the characters belong is the __________________people. Explain. Some other clothings introduced into the market include smit, brutanya, isadh and nkisi. There is not even one single manyangero mentioned on all the write up on any of the ekpe/mgbe stories. Efik names were often anglicised to gain the trust of European traders. 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. [5] The Efik refer to themselves as Efik Eburutu, Ifa Ibom, Eburutu and Iboku. These are: the oral historians, kings' advisors, poets, and musicians whose power is the ability to manipulate words. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Cameroon-Nigeria Relations, 1884-1961: A Study in Political, Economic and Social Interactions Between Two Nigerian Neighbouring States. Names such as Okon became Hogan, Orok became Duke, Akabom became Cobham, Ene became Henry, Asibong became Archibong. Photo by Eli Bentor. In The River Between, Waiyaki's father, Chege, is: The new, white man's religion is represented by the: Early in the story, Waiyaki undergoes his "second birth". Nair dates the arrival of the Efik towards the end of the seventeenth century or the beginning of the eighteenth century. The design is left to the discretion of the Ezillo creators, who are not Ekpe members and do not know the meanings of nsibidi. Our newsletter gives you access to a curated selection of the most important stories daily. [82] The name Itu ita translates to three manatees and is named because the masts of the ship resembled the manatee (Itu). "[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. 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. cherryblossom wrote on watzinaname's profile. Archaeological evidence found that the group was extremely advanced in education for its time, and headed the construction of the Valley of the Kings. [74][75] Some meals have been mentioned often in the 19th century historical literature of Old Calabar. Abakua is an Afro-Cuban mens secret society related to the Ekpe. Written March 01, 2015 by Web Services Editor, Guarini School of Graduate & Advanced Studies, Copyright 2023 Trustees of Dartmouth College. Ikpaya is now worn by an Obong-elect during the traditional coronation ceremony. [76], Prior to the introduction of European-styled clothing, the Efik wore loin clothes made of Raffia (Efik: Ndam). 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.). For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The dress is often worn with ornaments such as necklaces and earrings made of coral beads. [9] The largest group moved to Creek town from Ndodoghi led by the priest-king Eyo Ema Atai.[38]. The Ekoi in Cameroon are found in the South Western region of the count. 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. Photo by Eli Bentor. [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. 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. expectations of the members to prioritize the group over their own families. Ukara cloth also consecrates the interior of Ekpe lodges, where larger versions of the cloth hang as backdrops. 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]. One-word searches work best.Use AND to require multiple terms: LEFT Small ukara with minute patterned design and Omu Aro symbol. LEFT Mgballa Ekpe lodge with Ekpe members, Arochukwu, southeastern Nigeria. Several accounts have been given on the migration from Creek town to Obutong. They give me thesum of $1,200,000 and many thing. [68] The society is believed to have been introduced in Calabar from Usahadet. Each grade has a chieftain or an Obong. The year 1841 marked the official signing of papers by Efik kings to stop the exportation of slaves from Old Calabar. [64] It took several years before the town was rebuilt.[64]. Working with both kp and Abaku leaders, he has documented the foundation of the society in 19th . [59] Ekpe is first mentioned in the historical literature of Old Calabar in the 1770s. It was found in operation among a tribe down the coast towards Camaroons, but was improved and extended in its new field of operations.[60]. 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. At Old Calabar, traders had slowly started transitioning completely into the lucrative palm oil trade. 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. An entire topic will be dedicated to discussing the Ekpe society and its legacy in the near future. Law and order in Efik society was maintained via a number of secret societies. Due to the volume of cultural exchange, many other ethnic groups have often been regarded as being one with the Efik such as Kiong and Efut. 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. We are about loving, encouraging, embracing, teaching, and building with black people. 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. 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 Imhotep was a revered personality as he was believed to be with super powers of healing and influencing people and affairs of the community. There are two distinct but related societies. Animals such as goats, chicken and dogs are consumed in Efik cuisine. 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. [79] Ikpaya a royal type of gown also made from raffia. This site uses cookies to help personalize content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. [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. 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. 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. 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. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. After the Efik had settled at Ikpa Ene, a party of men from Uruan arrived at Ikpa Ene. Hall Fund. The Ekpe was vested with the powers of policing and bringing justice to the Efik kingdom. [15] Ekereke and Ekereke further assert that the word was later changed to "Efik". Many families sent their children to European captains to teach them English and the processes involved in the international trade. This material is believed to have been imported by the Portuguese (Oboriki). What role does religion play in society today? During the colonial era, The Efik language was the only language taught in schools in many parts of the present-day Cross River and Akwa Ibom state. Among these cuisines include Ekpang nkukwo, Edikang Ikong, Afia efere, Anyan Ekpang, Afang soup and several others. These missionaries together with King Eyo Honesty II brought several changes to Old Calabar society. We bring you daily editor picks from the best Business Insider news content so you can stay updated on the latest topics and conversations on the African market, leaders, careers and lifestyle. 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). Within Nigeria, the Efik can be found in the present-day Cross River State and Akwa Ibom state. [72] Alternate titles: Egbo, Ekpo, Leopard society. [52] A number of people were hanged, shot and buried with the late chief according to the custom. Ekpe" which literally means Lion, is a traditional secret society originated from the Ekoi tribe in Cross River State. ekpe society cameroon. Over the years, the Victorian dress has been modified and given what is regarded as a dignified African look. [65] Cannons were shot at the town and every house was levelled to the ground. The history of the Efik is one of the most documented in subsaharan Africa. clothing stores in columbia mall Free masons were originally an ancient Egyptian fraternity of builders, with Imhotep, as their founder and chief sculptor. 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]. The Internet has shone light on manysecret societies, rendering them not so secret. Ekpe Efik was used as a government instrument in Bakassi in exercising authority for more than 200 years ago [4]. 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. Laws were passed to halt several practices regarded as unchristian. quickly adapted to fulfil other economic and civil functions. 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. A list of some of Africa's most prominent cults and secret societies of all time. Define monsoon, Sanskrit, raja, caste system, caste, Hinduism, reincarnation, karma, dharma, yoga, Buddhism, ascetic, nirvana. 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. Nsibidi is a body of ideographic, abstract, and gestural signs deployed by the Ekpe society as a form of coded communication. [11] The bulk of the Enwang and Usukakpa are located in the present-day Akwa Ibom state. [13] Throughout the centuries, Efik traders traded with the Portuguese, Dutch, English and French. The group believes that when they eat human flesh, they gain the ability to transform into a crocodile. of Bamum, of Cameroon in his kingly attire seated on the throne with his chiefs flanked round him (Plate 2). [72] Iwewe is also regarded as a sacrificial meal often prepared for the Efik deities. The paper critically examined the Ekpe society in its indigenous form and nature prior the advent of Christianity, Western education and Western influence. She or he is a random of nature, a result of mixed up and confused spiritual genetics. 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. Jeffreys states that a disruption among the Okobo around the town of Ekeya in the Eket district led to the founding of Obutong. [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. society to its Caribbean incarnation, which has deeply influenced Cuba's creative energy and popular consciousness. 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. 2017). Eli Bentor, Professor of Art History at Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, speaks about the history of ukara cloth and moderates a discussi. The article was a not-so-deep exploration of indigenous African writing systems and languages. 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. Among these included Yams, Fufu and an unidentified type of black soup frequently mentioned in 19th century Old Calabar literature. 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. [19], The Ibibio origin of the Efik is one of the most popular among scholars. This theory asserts that the Efik migrated from Palestine or somewhere close to Palestine. [11] The last three clans had greatly dwindled in number and many of their members are believed to have been miscegenated into other Efik clans. 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. Group members would disguise themselves as leopards, wearing leopard skins, carrying claw-like weapons, and attacking their prey. In Ekpe, he is a product of a dynasty of more than five Generations of Ekpe Sisikus, also known as Nfor Ngbe or Ekpe Chiefs. 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. Papers documenting the research materials and scholarly work of Dr. Ivor L. Miller in cultural studies of the African Diaspora. [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. Ekpe masquerade [1], Its members are only men and are played on special occasion. [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. The Ekpe Masquerade Jun. [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. [62][63] The first missionaries arrived in 1846. Google Scholar Aye, E. A. Ekpe Society Emblem, Ejaham, Cameroon Dog Fetish, Vili, Congo Mlbuya (sickness) mask, Pende, Zaire Nimba Mask, Baga, Guinea Picasso Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, 1907 Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, 1907 (detail) Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, 1907 (detail) Bust of a Woman, 1931 Tte de taureau (Bull's Head), 1942 La chvre (The goat) 1950 Other references After the decline of the slave trade, the Efik transitioned into the business of exporting palm oil from the Cross river. Cameroon with the Ekpe cult. [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. After the tapping process, the wine is left to ferment for five hours. [37] The Uruan invasion at Ikpa Ene is believed to be the origin of the Efik saying, "Ama okut Ibibio, ku n enye ika, Idem amasat Ibibio eyewot owo"(English: When you see Ibibio do not give him fire(to warm himself), when he is dry he will kill you). The group is a mutual aid society known for elaborate street dances and very high. 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. The persistence oftheAbakua society contradicts the official construction ofa Cuban national identity. Aye provides the following names among these priest-kings including Ema Atai Iboku, Ekpe Atai Iboku, Ukpong Atai Iboku. [47] On the founding of Obutong, Colonial anthropologist M.D.W. 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 . 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. Ukara are made exclusively for members of the Ekpe society, an interethnic men's association found throughout southeastern Nigeria and western Cameroon. 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 first letter of the word is correctly written as "" and denotes plurality. It may not display this or other websites correctly. [36] [57] The diary of Antera Duke, an Efik, is the only surviving record from an African slave-trading house. 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. 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. [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. Her behavior at the board meeting was obsequious\mathit{obsequious}obsequious; for example, she actually offered to wash the company president's car! In Cuba, the Ekoi are always evoked as early founders of the Abaku society,18 and their spirits are worshiped. Original African systems of recording information in symbols include the Nsibidi script, of the Ekpe society of the Ejagham of Cameroon and Nigeria. [78] Raffia palm clothing (Efik: f Ndam) could also be exported from other communities especially when a community made the best raffia clothing. Aye dates the arrival of the Efik in Creek Town to the fourteenth century. English language is spoken in the South-Western part of Cameroon. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. [77] Women wore a number of brass rings on their legs and arms. Opinions expressed belong solely to the author and do not represent the views of other Members, Management, or the Community at large. [44] 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. The Ekpe Society. Residents in Ekpe villages often go to the group to help them seek justice when theyve been wronged. The earliest proponent of the Igbo origin was William Baikie who stated in his 1856 publication, "All the coast dialects from One to Old Kalabar, are, either directly or indirectly, connected with Igbo, which later Dr Latham informs me is certainly related to the Kafir class". Hope all is well. Have you ever thought about starting a secret society? 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. Other trading items sold by the Efik included rubber, ivory, barwood and redwood. Now we can't sell slaves again we must have too much man for country; and want something for make work and trade, and if we could get seed for cotton and coffee we could make trade. 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. [33] When the husband of the Uruan woman learnt of the issue, he wanted to fight the Efik. This village was originally named Ta Set Maat. It is a male-only society, and members are bound by secrecy. [37] The items believed to have been taken include Ikpaya (woven raffia robe), Akata (throne) and Ayang (Broom). [37] When the Efik realised what was going on, they rose to their feet and fought back. That it was through the Qua [an Ejagham or Ekoi stock], that the secret of Ekpe cult diffused to Calabar. The destruction of Obutong occurred in 1854. They migrated from Bateka and settled in their current location in flight. [47] Antia Ekot Otong is regarded as one of the descendants of the patriarch Otong Ama Ide. The doomsday cult is a sinister transnational cult that has paved its way from the west and Asian world into some African countries including Uganda and South Africa. 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. Additional Touches The Efik acted as the middlemen between the European vessels and the inland slave traders. "[29] Essien's criticism is supported by the fact that in some Efik trado-religious songs, Atakpor Uruan is greatly extolled. (Ed.). Ema Atai Ema Atai, Edidem, Biop sai." [34] When the Uruan woman realised that Abasi had broken her axe, she insisted that the axe should be repaired. [76] Palm wine is acquired by making an incision on the palm tree, a process known as "tapping". One theory states that the Efik and Uruan had separate religious customs and the Efik refused to worship the Uruan deity Atakpor Uruan Inyang. Updates? Ekpe translates to Leopard in the Efik language and is believed to be a spirit that resides in the forest. When you see Ibibio do not give him fire(to warm himself), when he is dry he will kill you, Multiple Deaths at Ndodoghi creek, Ema Atai Ema Atai, Priest-king, lost his sight in death, Joshua Project Efik of Nigeria Ethnic People Profile, Souvenir Programme of the Coronation Service of His Royal Highness Edidem Boco Ene Mkpang Cobham V, Obong of Calabar and Paramount Ruler of the Efiks, Abridgement of the minutes of the evidence, "Souvenir programme of the Coronation of Edidem Boco Ene Mkpang Cobham V", "Cross river as a model for the evolution of Benue-Congo nominal class/concord systems", https://web.archive.org/web/20151222092842/http://sunnewsonline.com/new/pa-effiong-ukpong-aye-1918-2012/, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Efik_people&oldid=1131332439, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles using infobox ethnic group with image parameters, Articles containing explicitly cited English-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 3 January 2023, at 17:46. [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. Internal details about the membership and brotherhood demands of this ancient group is supposedly a top secret known only to the members. [49] Several events at Creek town later led to a wave of migration from Creek town to Duke town. . Ekpe Efik was used as a government instrument in Bakassi in exercising authority for more than 200 years ago (E.O.Efiong-Fuller, 1996). Individual symbols may also have multiple meanings, rendering context important and interpretation inevitable in the "reading" of the body of represented signs.