Abakua is an Afro-Cuban mens secret society related to the Ekpe. 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. [65] Although the missionaries and rulers of Creek town and Duke town protested, their protests fell on deaf ears. Covering, concealing, and protecting their bodies, it functions as a physical metaphor for the ideological secrecy that the Ekpe society carefully constructs and guards. 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. expectations of the members to prioritize the group over their own families. History The Ekoi people, while all speaking the same language, have not tended to live in complete unison. It is also used by the Igbo and Efik. 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. Sunjata's half-brother, Dankaran Touman, enrages Sunjata and nearly causes civil war by: murdering an innocent young man, thinking he is Sunjata. 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. She or he is a random of nature, a result of mixed up and confused spiritual genetics. In this light, the Cameroon National Council of Traditional Rulers would be a welcomed . In the culture we have discussed, the term badenya refers to: the relationship between the mother and child, and full siblings - implying closeness, trust, cooperation, unselfishness, and acceptance of rules. You been do very proper for we, and now we want to keep proper mouth. [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. Ukara are made exclusively for members of the Ekpe society, an interethnic men's association found throughout southeastern Nigeria and western Cameroon. The earliest documented letter to an English captain from a chief of Old Calabar was written in 1770. 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. [9] The largest group moved to Creek town from Ndodoghi led by the priest-king Eyo Ema Atai.[38]. ________. The group is a mutual aid society known for elaborate street dances and very high. [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. 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 In addition to ritual propitiation of forest spirits to ensure the well-being of the community, this graded secret male society made and enforced laws by fines, capital punishment, or boycotts; judged cases; maintained internal peace; and served as the executive. 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. Ekpe is a mysterious spirit who is supposed to live in the jungle and to preside at the ceremonies of the society. The society is now seen as a fraternity along the masonic lines which tries to represent the interest of Efiks. Ekpe masquerade mimic the form of a lion or leopard moves. Sunjata's sister, Kolonkan, angers her younger brother Manding Bori when she: uses her powers to take the internal organs from animals he and his brothers killed, without cutting the animals open. [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. 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. At Creek town, the Efik ruler was Efiom Ekpo Efiom Ekpo who had a number of children including Nsa Efiom, Edem Efiom, Okoho Efiom and Odo Efiom. [5] It is not just because of its spiritual or cultic functions but for the fact that the institution was a pre-colonial police judiciary system (Bassey, 1998). 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]. Some of the oldest of these societies were Nyana Nyaku and Nsibidi. The cloth is made of plain cotton but transformed into a ritual object when nsibidi symbols are inscribed onto it through indigo dyeing. [1] Ekpe members always wear masks when performing their police duties, and although individuals may nonetheless be recognized, fear of retribution from the ikan stops people from accusing those members who may overstep their limits. Ekpe masquerade mimic the form of a lion or leopard moves. [16] Baikie said Ibibio are traced to the Igbo. The Ekoi in Cameroon are found in the South Western region of the count. Omissions? Instead, each settlement had its own lodge of the . [32] Another theory states that there was a disagreement between an Efik woman known as Abasi and an Uruan woman. [14], The name "Efik" translates to "Oppressors" and is derived from the Efik-Ibibio verb root "Fik" (English: Oppress). A list of some of Africa's most prominent cults and secret societies of all time. To cast light on African perspectives, and on the point of view of enslaved men and women, this group of top Africanist scholars has examined both conventional historical sources (e.g., European. [33][35] The Efik came to her defence and the dispute escalataed[34] Legend has it that this was the last straw that led to the Uruan-Efik war (known in Efik as Ek Abasi-Anwan) which led to the exit of the Efik from the Uruan country. The Freemasonry's affiliation to the Imhotep is clearly evident and this is probably why they are accused of several conspiracy theories, since their objective is geared towards the restructuring and controlling of global affairs. [52] The Captains wrote the acting consul who was stationed at Fernando Po. [76], Prior to the introduction of European-styled clothing, the Efik wore loin clothes made of Raffia (Efik: Ndam). 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. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. . Her behavior at the board meeting was obsequious\mathit{obsequious}obsequious; for example, she actually offered to wash the company president's car! These missionaries together with King Eyo Honesty II brought several changes to Old Calabar society. 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. The Ekale and their famous shaking shoulders performing at the "Under the Volcano Festival", Limbe Cameroon. "Egbo" redirects here. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. The missionaries who arrived in 1846 contributed to the changes in women's attire in Efik society. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Unblock notifications in browser settings. "[29] Essien's criticism is supported by the fact that in some Efik trado-religious songs, Atakpor Uruan is greatly extolled. One account narrates that the Mbiabo group left first to their present location while the Iboku, Enwang and other clans were still at Ndodoghi. Ekpe could take life and could give it; it could condemn a whole town to a heavy fine and was promptly paid; it could punish offenders and could forgive; even kings and Obongs could never escape Ekpe laws and edicts.[69]. [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. Some other clothings introduced into the market include smit, brutanya, isadh and nkisi. Free masons were originally an ancient Egyptian fraternity of builders, with Imhotep, as their founder and chief sculptor. 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. [78] Raffia palm clothing (Efik: f Ndam) could also be exported from other communities especially when a community made the best raffia clothing. The Efik acted as the middlemen between the European vessels and the inland slave traders. The Osirica is a black Egyptian masonic order that existed in ancient Egypt. The cloth is traditionally used as either a wrapper, worn by high- ranking members of Ekpe group who often . (b) Analyze Cause and Effect: What events prevent their success? [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. Long time we no look Man-of-War as Blount promise one Frenchman come make plenty palaver for slave when we can't get them. [77] The fibre of the leaf-stalk of a palm was made into a thread and woven to make clothes and bags. There are different narratives on the arrival of the Efik at Creek Town. The Leopard Society was allegedly a cannibalistic society in the early-to-mid 2oth century in Sierra Leone, Libera and Cte dIvoire. 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. Efik traders played a major role during the era of the Transatlantic slave trade. It was technically part of Nigeria, according to history, which was the reason we had the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC). . kp lodges ruled local communities while also managing regional and long-distance trade. [33] Abasi's husband insisted that the problem should be resolved by the chiefs. [1] The trade-off is that the Amama often control the majority of the community wealth. how to get a towing contract with geico university of west london ranking world university of west london ranking world Working with both kp and Abaku leaders, he has documented the foundation of the society in 19th . [26] At Uruan, they were ruled by a number of priest-kings Ndidem. Efik names were often anglicised to gain the trust of European traders. The Efik are an ethnic group located primarily in southern Nigeria, and western Cameroon. Due to the peregrinations of Efik traders across the lower Cross River region, The Efik language was regarded as the language of commerce in the Cross river region. LEFT Omabe Eze sewing an ukara, Ezillo, southeastern Nigeria. Among these laws were the Abolition of twin-killings, abolition of the esere bean ordeal, abolition of human sacrifices and several other practices. Among these cuisines include Ekpang nkukwo, Edikang Ikong, Afia efere, Anyan Ekpang, Afang soup and several others. [40] The outcome of the fall of the tree led to several deaths in their clan. This is UKARA cloth used by the Ekpe society in a handful of places in Nigeria, Cameroon The symbols are nisbidi You even scanned the raffia marks left from resist dyeing I hope you won't sue the owners in future! The three most popular theories include an Igbo origin, Ibibio origin and Palestinian origin. To be a member, one must be a part of Yoruba nobility. After the tapping process, the wine is left to ferment for five hours. Origin Nsibidi symbols which are indigenous to Igbo, Ibibio, Efik, Annang and Ekoi/Ejagham members of the Ekpe society. The Ekpe society had become, by the time Antera Duke began his diary in 1785, the Efik's primary socio-political institution. Some meals have been mentioned often in the 19th century historical literature of Old Calabar. 16, 2014 3 likes 6,498 views Download Now Download to read offline Education Spiritual Technology A short description of the ancient Ekpe Masquerade and its cultural and spiritual significance, in the life of the people of the Cross River basin. According to E.U. Black Spirituality / Religion - General Discussion, http://odinanilawsofnature.wordpress.com/2010/11/10/finding-god-in-nature/, http://tourismafricana.com/origin-history-ekpe-soceity.html. Click to expose navigation links on mobile. 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. While some explorers describe the Efik as travellers who past through the Ibibio country, others assert that the Efik are of Ibibio stock. The Efik are an ethnic group located primarily in southern Nigeria, and western Cameroon. [12] Due to the support of the missionaries, the Efik language became the language of religion. Sisiku Ojong-Orock was born on Saturday October 2nd, 1948 in Ogomoko Village,Eyumojock Sub-Division, Manyu Division in the Republic of Cameroon, West Africa. The Ekpe society is estimated by most foreign scholars to have been introduced into Old Calabar in the 18th century. 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". One-word searches work best.Use AND to require multiple terms: LEFT Small ukara with minute patterned design and Omu Aro symbol. Having associated broadly with foreigners in the pre-colonial era and . My party of 4 spent $400 at Space 220 in Disney World. [58] Antera Duke also known as Ntiero Edem Efiom was an Efik trader whose diary reveals several daily activities in Old Calabar between 1785 and 1788. The Efik speak the Efik language which is a member of the BenueCongo subfamily of the Niger-Congo language group. One theory asserts that Ukpong Atai Atai Ema Atai, Adim Atai Atai Ema Atai and other co-founders founded Obutong after one of Eyo Ema's people was killed during a wrestling match with Ukpong Atai at Creek town. 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]. . kp philosophy is grounded in "Cross River region concepts of community that include the living, the ancestors, and the land itself" [ Ekpe being] "a school for esoteric teachings [ revealing] ideal stages in a person's life [ in their growth to] maturity within their communities [ framing terrestrial experience within the context of the 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. [49] Several events at Creek town later led to a wave of migration from Creek town to Duke town. These drums are a regional phenomenon; they are not identified with any particular ethnic community, nor with any specific cultural group or initiation club. "[21] Jeffreys assertion regarding Eburutu being a single Ibibio clan is proven false by earlier definitions of Eburutu by Rev. 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. 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. Google Scholar Aye, E. A. Updates? [82] The Portuguese are said to have arrived in masted ships. The economics of the society is based on paying tribute to the village ancestors. Cow meat was also consumed but the Efik native cow was rarely eaten or milked by the Efik. [47] Antia Ekot Otong is regarded as one of the descendants of the patriarch Otong Ama Ide. 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. The island is believed to be named after a fisherman from Mbiabo known as Ene Ankot. The Efik also manufacture a number of beverages such as Mmn Efik (Palm wine), Uffp (Native gin), Lemon grass tea (Nnyannyaa), Mmn Eyop (Eyop wine). Papers documenting the research materials and scholarly work of Dr. Ivor L. Miller in cultural studies of the African Diaspora. Ekpe means leopard, not lion. Aye and Eyo Okon Akak. They migrated from Bateka and settled in their current location in flight. Iwewe is a type of boiled yam mashed with a small amount of palm oil and stirred with a spoon. Read More mask 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. Hope Waddell, Samuel Edgerley and four others. Prior to Akak, the theory were proposed at the Hart's enquiry by Chief Offiong Abasi Ntiero Effiwatt and Etubom Ededem Ekpenyong Oku.[25][26]. 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. Opinions expressed belong solely to the author and do not represent the views of other Members, Management, or the Community at large. Among these included Yams, Fufu and an unidentified type of black soup frequently mentioned in 19th century Old Calabar literature. 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 . Adire Adire means 'tie and dye' in Yoruba. The society combines a kind of freemasonry with political and law enforcing aims. At least in the past, very large sums were paid to attain these upper levels. Hope all is well. cherryblossom wrote on watzinaname's profile. [47] On the founding of Obutong, Colonial anthropologist M.D.W. Only males can join, boys being initiated about the age of puberty. Efik populations are found in the following regions: Secret societies aided in the maintaining of law and order at Old Calabar. Only males can join, boys being initiated about the age of puberty. 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. [8] The bulk of the Efik can be found in Calabar. (a) What are the Clowns trying to accomplish in this scene? 2017). (Ed.). That it was through the Qua [an Ejagham or Ekoi stock], that the secret of Ekpe cult diffused to Calabar. 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. Here are 8 prominent cults and secret societies in Africa. society to its Caribbean incarnation, which has deeply influenced Cuba's creative energy and popular consciousness. The Ekpe is a secret society that lives mostly in Nigeria and whose members are typically law enforcers and politicians. LEFT Ekpe cage during Ikot Ekpe ritual in 2009. [5] The Efik refer to themselves as Efik Eburutu, Ifa Ibom, Eburutu and Iboku. The ethnic group to which most of the characters belong is the __________________people. 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 paper critically examined the Ekpe society in its indigenous form and nature prior the advent of Christianity, Western education and Western influence. [51] The Enwang people moved to the present site of Henshaw town.[51]. [17] Some oral accounts by early Efik men also support the Igbo origin of the Efik. [19] Oku attests that it was the attack on the Efik that made them decide to leave Ikpa Ene as they realised they were still too close to their enemies. The instruments above are particularly important to our study of the Sunjata because: they are the traditional instruments of the jeliw who tell the story in public performance. The cult members are usually violent and self-destructive to the point of committing suicide. This material is believed to have been imported by the Portuguese (Oboriki). 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 year 1841 marked the official signing of papers by Efik kings to stop the exportation of slaves from Old Calabar. 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. Ndibo Yevengo- Abakua & Ekpe events; Cuba-Calabar Radio . This created a need for Ekpe DC to have a full Ayamba Nkanda (Nkanda Chief). Also i want bomb and shell. 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. One of the most important castes in this society is the jeli caste. Enyi laja na lasha b nyeere ha aka idi nsogbu nd baara ha. 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. 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. Several periods have been estimated by foreign scholars and indigenous historians. [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. Copyright Dr. Ivor L. Miller. [51] Nsutana was a dreaded island where twins were abandoned to die. Meat and fish are the major sources of protein in Efik cuisines. Each ukara is highly individualized and clearly produced to be worn by a specific Ekpe member or to mark a specific Ekpe lodge. The practice and display of Ekpe masquerade have been modified. Known generally as Ekpe, Egbo, Ngbe, or Ugbe among the multi-lingual groups in the region, these closed groups all used the leopard as a symbol of masculine prowess in war and political authority in their various communities.