[47] On the founding of Obutong, Colonial anthropologist M.D.W. . Among these included Yams, Fufu and an unidentified type of black soup frequently mentioned in 19th century Old Calabar literature. Powered by, Ukara cloth detail, Etara community, Cross River State, Nigeria, Cross River Cultural Heritage: reports from home and from the African Diaspora, Introduction: Spirit Dancers, Water Deities & Mystics in the Cross River Basin and in Cuba, Upcoming film project: Seven year kp ritual cycle, Ntufam Bob Oku literature, music and drawings, Calabar Mgb International Journal / Revista Internacional, Calabar-Cuba Radio with Ene Ita and Ivor Miller, Manyu kp Funeral Rites in Yaounde, 2019, Ivor Miller research archive at Amherst College, Manyu kp procession in Yaound, March 29, 2019, Poster for funeral of Seseku Stephen Tataw (1948-2019), Tortoise shell instrument is played in the funerary procession, kp mask purifies the hearse before the procession begins, Funerary shrine representing the sacred forest of kp, kp members surround the shrine for the final rites. 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. Due to the number of unfortunate incidents at Ikpa Ene and Ndodoghi, the Efik sought to leave these islands. This theory asserts that the Efik migrated from Palestine or somewhere close to Palestine. 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]. Define monsoon, Sanskrit, raja, caste system, caste, Hinduism, reincarnation, karma, dharma, yoga, Buddhism, ascetic, nirvana. [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. [42] K.K. "[29] Essien's criticism is supported by the fact that in some Efik trado-religious songs, Atakpor Uruan is greatly extolled. expectations of the members to prioritize the group over their own families. [33] When the husband of the Uruan woman learnt of the issue, he wanted to fight the Efik. Among these cuisines include Ekpang nkukwo, Edikang Ikong, Afia efere, Anyan Ekpang, Afang soup and several others. "[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. 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. An entire topic will be dedicated to discussing the Ekpe society and its legacy in the near future. Ukara are made exclusively for members of the Ekpe society, an interethnic men's association found throughout southeastern Nigeria and western Cameroon. 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. Among these laws were the Abolition of twin-killings, abolition of the esere bean ordeal, abolition of human sacrifices and several other practices. through the Illuminati Iwas able to become rich, and have many industry on myown and become famous and popular in my country , todayme and my family is living happily and I am the mosthappiest man here is the opportunity for you to join theIlluminati and become rich and famous in life and be likeother people and you life we be change totally.If you areinterested in joining the great brotherhood Illuminati.thencontact him +2348106618681 or for more information +1(705)8062021 email:illuminatibrotherpowerful@gmail.com or you need my assistance email:danjerry04@gmail.com Shame to the Manyu people and great men o Manyu, that you as enlightened as I know will willfully distort a tradition that back dates as long as 400 to 800hundred. Working with both kp and Abaku leaders, he has documented the foundation of the society in 19th . of Old Calabar by the Ekpe secret society, which was controlled by the towns merchant houses. Aye dates the arrival of the Efik in Creek Town to the fourteenth century. 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. Cross River Cultural Heritage: reports from home and from the African LEFT Ezillo man drawing a grid pattern to be filled with nsibidi designs, Ezillo, southeastern Nigeria. It is also used by the Igbo and Efik. [37] The items believed to have been taken include Ikpaya (woven raffia robe), Akata (throne) and Ayang (Broom). PDF (PDF) Lalimentazione In Ostaggio Le Mani Delle Multinazionali Su Quel identity. Ukara cloth, an indigo stitched and dyed cloth is significant to the people of Igbo land. The Efik are an ethnic group located primarily in southern Nigeria, and western Cameroon. [17] Some oral accounts by early Efik men also support the Igbo origin of the Efik. The island is believed to be named after a fisherman from Mbiabo known as Ene Ankot. Goldie describes Eburutu as a country that consists of various ethnic groups. Niki Buroro Agbor Jerome - Field Fellowship Kokolopori Bonobo Research An account from the Qua said the origin of the Ekpe people can be traced to Cameron. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The Ekpe Society. One theory propounded by Okon and Nkpanam Ekereke asserts that the term "Efuk" was a word of defiance and an expression used by the Ibibio man when in a fit of rage. While some explorers describe the Efik as travellers who past through the Ibibio country, others assert that the Efik are of Ibibio stock. authority as head of the Ekpe (Egbo), or Leopard, society. [78] Raffia palm clothing (Efik: f Ndam) could also be exported from other communities especially when a community made the best raffia clothing. Ekpe society | African secret society | Britannica [23][24], The Oriental original is most popular among indigenous Efik historians such as E.U. Ndibo Yevengo- Abakua & Ekpe events; Cuba-Calabar Radio . Worn as personal wrappers during initiations and at social events, ukara cloth distinguishes Ekpe members. 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. [65] Although the missionaries and rulers of Creek town and Duke town protested, their protests fell on deaf ears. Historians and archaeologists have worked to piece together the human story from prehistory up to today. What is a Free Agent "A free agent is one who isn't privileged with even one pure Leopard spiritline from the survivors of the Great Attempt. 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. Ekpe Efik was used as a government instrument in Bakassi in exercising authority for more than 200 years ago [4]. Walt Disney World at 50: The History of Disney's - Disney Matters Black Spirituality / Religion - General Discussion, http://odinanilawsofnature.wordpress.com/2010/11/10/finding-god-in-nature/, http://tourismafricana.com/origin-history-ekpe-soceity.html. Aye provides the following names among these priest-kings including Ema Atai Iboku, Ekpe Atai Iboku, Ukpong Atai Iboku. laja Tachiri Obi Ruo gwgw: O Nyefere lasha r Ya [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. Efik names were often anglicised to gain the trust of European traders. 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. 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. There is not even one single manyangero mentioned on all the write up on any of the ekpe/mgbe stories. Ema Atai Ema Atai, Edidem, Biop sai." I am a young researcher who have a great love for forest conservation, community . 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. EKPE SOCIETY - Blogger Ralph Lauren on Twitter 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). The area from which the Sunjata Epic comes was historically: the geographical location of the great medieval African kingdoms - Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. The story of The River Between by Ngugi wa Thiong'o, takes place in _________________ (name of present-day country) in the mid 1800's. [34], On leaving the Uruan country, the Efik migrated to Ikpa Ene which is nicknamed Akani Obio Efik(English: Old Efik island). The economics of the society is based on paying tribute to the village ancestors. [74][75] . Traditional societies and social change in Nigeria: a study of Ekpe They are well respected agents of wealth distribution in the community. 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. 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. kp lodges ruled local communities while also managing regional and long-distance trade. [62][63] The first missionaries arrived in 1846. The most popular migration account within the Nigerian space asserts that the Efik people lived at Ibom in the present-day Arochukwu and migrated from Ibom to Uruan. Papers documenting the research materials and scholarly work of Dr. Ivor L. Miller in cultural studies of the African Diaspora. African Voices on Slavery and the Slave Trade: Volume 1, The Sources Several periods have been estimated by foreign scholars and indigenous historians. Cross River Cultural Heritage: reports from home and from the African 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. [47], By the seventeenth century, more Efik settlements had been founded. [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. 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. 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. Ekpe masquerade mimic the form of a lion or leopard moves. 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. [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. Black Spirituality Religion : - Ekpe Society | Destee - Black Another account from the Qua claimed that Ekpe (Mgbe) migrated from Cameroon. LEFT Ekpe cage during Ikot Ekpe ritual in 2009. The Ekpe society had become, by the time Antera Duke began his diary in 1785, the Efik's primary socio-political institution. two young foreign men to whom she gives the power to defeat her. One of the most important castes in this society is the jeli caste. The Efik speak the Efik language which is a member of the BenueCongo subfamily of the Niger-Congo language group. Free masons were originally an ancient Egyptian fraternity of builders, with Imhotep, as their founder and chief sculptor. Hope Waddell, Samuel Edgerley and four others. 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). The Efik in Nigeria have Nkanda as the basic Ekpe whereas, in Cameroon we have Ekpe as the starting point in Ekpe. Gelede Egbe: Yoruba Women's Sacred Society. 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. 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. [46] On their exit from Obutong, they are believed to have sought the permission of Oku Atai to use the Ntinya. [48] Jeffreys theory is unpopular with a large majority of the Efik. Several types of English dresses were introduced to Efik women such as the Victorian dresses known in Efik as nyny. Instead, each settlement had its own lodge of the . [39] At Ndodoghi, the Efik priest-king Ema Atai Ema Atai died and was succeeded by his son Eyo Ema Atai Ema Atai Iboku. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. the exhibition explores the long- The design is left to the discretion of the Ezillo creators, who are not Ekpe members and do not know the meanings of nsibidi. [27] A number of reasons have been given on why the Efik left Uruan. PDF Symbolic values of clothing and textiles art in traditional and 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. ekpe society cameroon. [11] Ibonda (an Efut clan) has sometimes been appended to Adiabo as one of the seven Efik clans. 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. Ivor L. Miller Papers - Amherst College - ArchivesSpace Abakua is an Afro-Cuban mens secret society related to the Ekpe. Cameroon-Nigeria Relations, 1884-1961: A Study in Political, Economic and Social Interactions Between Two Nigerian Neighbouring States. Why do you think it is important for us to understand our past? In such cases, the Ekpe Society is seen as the . Voice of the Leopard: African Secret Societies and Cuba - AfroCubaWeb Photo by Eli Bentor. Initiated into ekpe society at 9 as was done in those days and now not even a word is mentioned each time you talk about ekpe in manyu. PDF Evaluating the Place of the Ekpe Traditional Institution as a - CORE [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. Ethnographic - (Mask, Elephant, Cape, Chicken Feather); Elephant Mask with Chicken Feather Cape, Bekom People, Cameroon. It is a male-only society, and members are bound by secrecy. [38] The Efik bard Adiaha Etim Anua recites in her 1910 ballad that "Mkpana Ndodoghi Edik. 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". [1] The trade-off is that the Amama often control the majority of the community wealth. 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. Right now, Ekpe . Ekpe means leopard, not lion. [32] The men were wet and complained of hunger and fatigue. Select search scope, currently: catalog all catalog, articles, website, & more in one search; catalog books, media & more in the Stanford Libraries' collections; articles+ journal articles & other e-resources [79] Ikpaya a royal type of gown also made from raffia. 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. 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 . 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. The Efik acted as the middlemen between the European vessels and the inland slave traders. ________. Further Perspectives on Kifwebe Masquerades - MIT Press These artists sew the white cloths with raffia thread so that parts of the ukara (in a pattern of nsibidi symbols) will not be exposed during the dyeing process. 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. [44][52] Aye uses Adiaha Etim Anwa's ballad as one of the basis for his hypothesis. 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. Ekpe is a mysterious spirit who is supposed to live in the jungle and to preside at the ceremonies of the society. But, Ekpe in the course of the colonial period underwent a wide range of fundamental changes in their structure, roles, status . 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. Originally, the Efik obtained slaves by going to war with other communities or creating confusion in other communities. Flashlight on drama & film : a drama for situation analysis guide The Efik speak the Efik language which is a member of the Benue -Congo subfamily of the Niger - Congo language group. The history of the Efik is one of the most documented in subsaharan Africa. Laws were passed to halt several practices regarded as unchristian. The Ekpe society may be regarded as one of the most important institutions among the Efik people. [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. Among these missionaries were Rev. ,sister Watz. wikipedia.en/Akpakip_Oro.md at main chinapedia/wikipedia.en 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]. The ethnic group to which most of the characters belong is the __________________people. 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. Instead, each settlement had its own lodge of the initiation society called kp, or "leopard," which was the highest indigenous authority. Ukara: Ritual Cloth of the Ekpe Secret Society - YouTube . The Ekpe Masquerade - SlideShare Ekpe is a mysterious spirit who is supposed to live in the jungle and to preside at the ceremonies of the society. 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. It was worth every penny and made me feel like a kid again. of Bamum, of Cameroon in his kingly attire seated on the throne with his chiefs flanked round him (Plate 2). Oge ruru ka laja nyefee lasha r ya ma gaa rwa r e nyere ya ebe z. They came from Mbiak Creek in Ibibio country. Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script - Culture (3) - Nigeria No disrespect allowed. [52] These atrocities angered the missionaries and European captains alike. AHR ~ 125 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. 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 missionaries who arrived in 1846 contributed to the changes in women's attire in Efik society. Iwewe is a type of boiled yam mashed with a small amount of palm oil and stirred with a spoon. Determine the meaning of the italicized word in each sentence by examining the context. Ekpe masquerade mimic the form of a lion or leopard moves. 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. Aye and Eyo Okon Akak. LEFT Mgballa Ekpe lodge with Ekpe members, Arochukwu, southeastern Nigeria. a Mande tradition based on orally transmitted history. [45] Eyo Ema's people occupied Otung in the south of Creek Town, Adim Atai and Ukpong Atai occupied the east and Efiom Ekpo's family occupied the Adakuko in the west. A reconsideration of kp and Abaku suggests an agenda for the study of kp in diaspora from a different perspective. 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. Prior to 1905, Old Calabar was a term used to describe the Efik settlements of Duke Town, Creek Town, Old town, Cobham town, Henshaw town, Adiabo and Mbiabo (consisting of Mbiabo edere, Mbiabo Ikot Offiong and Mbiabo Ikoneto). [38] It is believed that it was at Ndodoghi that many of the Abayen clan had died from crocodile attacks. The kp 'Leopard' Society of Africa and its Cuban Diaspora: A [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. [33][34] Abasi is said to have borrowed an axe from an Uruan woman and had broken the axe. Many believe this groups village at present day Deir el-Medina was the original location where freemasonry began. These Ngolo created the Ekpe society and invented the Nsibidi writing system in Usakadet (Isangele). 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. [51] The Enwang people who were fishing at Duke town saw the twins approaching and fled in terror saying "Mbiomo oduk ine"(English: A curse has befalling our fishing sites). 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. 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 Ekpe is a secret society that lives mostly in Nigeria and whose members are typically law enforcers and politicians. At Ughoton, to the southwest of Benin, a different type of mask is used, in the cult. In its vastness, the Ekpe is a well structured society with semi-caste characteristics, in that, there are categories and titles which one may qualify to be initiated into, while others are strictly reserved for persons of certain status and backgrounds. [54] The name "Agbisherea" (also known as Egbosherry) appended in the names of the two kings listed by Barbot, was the name of the country, on the coast of which they traded from. 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. [53] Some of the kings have been identified in the past by Etubom Ukorebi Ukorebi Asuquo in Aye's Efik people. 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! [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. Osirica brotherhood is the root of all the mason societies, dating back around 2300 B.C. It described the religion, social, economic and political structures of the society as progressive and dynamic. [44] Modern Efik society is a melting pot of people of diverse origin. cherryblossom wrote on watzinaname's profile. One-word searches work best.Use AND to require multiple terms: LEFT Small ukara with minute patterned design and Omu Aro symbol. Covering, concealing, and protecting their bodies, it functions as a physical metaphor for the ideological secrecy that the Ekpe society carefully constructs and guards. It proved to be the source of supreme authority in all Efik towns, and its institutions provided, in the past, the highest court whose verdicts transcended all else.