Tag: Culture

The Ibibio people were known for many fantastic virtues in times past. These virtues historically distinguished them from other ancient ethnic groups in Nigeria. Observe that ethnic groups have specific traits which they are known for. The Igbos are industrious, Hausas are Language-conscious, and Yorubas are famously showy. And then you have the Ibibios with their qualities. Mr. Udom Inoyo identified 4 virtues of Ibibio people in his lecture at book launch of ‘Ibibio Nation: History & Culture’.

DILIGENCE AND TRUST

The Ibibio man is happy to do his job and earn his wages. He is content. He would rather earn the trust of his boss than perform eye-service.

At some point, they were so trustworthy and diligent that elite Nigerians freely granted them access to most protected parts of their homes: the kitchen and the bedroom. This has been their nature since ancient times.

REPUBLICAN NATURE

Ancient Ibibios were frank and very principled. Till date, Ibibio people have the adage “ndiagha ke ufok owo“; a common phrase meaning that one can express his mind without equivocation because his daily bread does not depend on any other.

An Ibibio person has a way of giving his sincere opinion on issues, even if it differs from the common.

LOVE FOR EDUCATION

The advent of colonialism influenced their love for education notably. Back then, the Ibibio people had increased passion for education and wanted to be like their bosses.

In the book ‘The Ibibio Union’ written by late eminent Jurist, Sir Justice Udoma, the union, established in 1927, invested in education immediately. They recorded excellent achievement in being one of the foremost African nationalist bodies to award scholarships to its indigenes to study in foreign countries. This body also worked with colonial education departments to establish Ibibio State College in Ikot Ekpene in 1946.

COURAGE AND EXEMPLARY LIVING

History does not leave out Ibibio women. They were deeply involved in the formation of modern Ibibio culture.

It was Ibibio women who led the famous riot of 1929 in Ikot Abasi. Although writers recorded this as the Aba women’s riot, an Ibibio woman, the exemplary Madam Adiaha-Edem, was the arrow-head. She was paternal grand-mother of Senator Udoma Udo Udoma.

Ibibio people are naturally unintimidated though they are also humble.

For more, please order the most recent book on Ibibio Nation by Oto-Obong Uwah here.

Watch Oto-Obong Uwah speak on the Ibibio Nation on YouTube.

Keywords: Qualities Ibibio People Known For.

 

Nseime Brownson writes from Jabborro PR, Uyo

There are more than 5 masquerades you should be afraid of in Akwa Ibom State, but in this article, I will talk about 5 of the scariest. Some of them are so horrible, women can’t survive a sight of them. Some are Ibibio cultural cults, while some are simply cultural plays. Meanwhile, please get this book; Ibibio Nation: History & Culture by Oto-Obong Uwah, click here.

Ekòng

This is by far the goriest to watch and you will never find a photograph of it online. It is reported that some years ago near Ibiono, a pregnant woman saw ekòng masquerade by accident and immediately suffered miscarriage. From a description of a member of the ekòng secret cult, the masquerade is bathed with corpses, torn flesh, fresh blood and other repugnant trappings.

Ekpo

The Ekpo is founded on the belief in life after death. And it is regarded as the soul of ancestors that return to the land of the living in masquerade form. It returns to participate with their kinsmen in communal festivals such as farming and rites of passage.

Ekpo is a cult.

To become part of this circle you must be initiated. Also, every activity of this sect is designed to pour fear, dread and caution on women and non-initiates.
Ekpo was known for instituting justice and performing judicial, administrative and religious duties during pre-colonial times.

Atӓt

This means wasp and the head of the masquerade is shaped like a basket. The body-worn costume is woven and the physique of the masquerade is dwarfy. The Atӓt masquerade is played as a festival in a few communities in the state. It is known for the security role it played in ancient Akwa Ibom before colonial times.

This Akwa Ibom masquerade is also known to possess supernatural powers as with the others. Only that it some times performs magical art to the amazement of admirers. Besides these, it was useful in instituting moral values amongst women and other members of old Ibibio society. The aim of the Atat masquerade was to maintain in the cultural society.

Utuèkpè

This means spider in Ibibio. As the name implies, this masquerade behaves like a spider during its display. It would scale heights on strings aided by other members of its troupe.

Nnabò

This is a cult with a very ferocious masquerade. The masquerader himself is made to undergo certain spiritual rites to be able to wear the costume and then be brought out for display. It is found mainly in the Annang areas of Akwa Ibom State.

Primary keywords – masquerade, akwa ibom, ekpo

Brownson Nseime writes from Jabborro PR, Uyo.