| Location: |
Southeastern Nigeria |
| Population: |
1 million |
| Language: |
Ibibio (Kwa) |
| Neighboring Peoples: |
Igbo, Ijo,
Idoma, Igala, Bangwa |
| Types of Art: |
The masks and accouterments of the Ekpo society make up the greatest
works of art in Ibibio society. Drumming and music are also important
elements in Ekpo ceremonies. The wooden sculpture from this area is also
very detailed, and artists are just as likely to capture beauty as they
are the hideous forms of evil spirits. |
| History: |
The Ibibio have lived in the Cross River area of modern day Nigeria
for several hundred years, and while written information about them only
exists in colonial records from the late 1800s on, oral traditions have
them in the region much earlier than this. The Ibibio actively resisted
colonial invasions, and it was not until after the end of World War I that
the British were able to gain a strong foothold in the region. Even at
this time, however, the British found it necessary to make use of Ibibio
Ekpo society traditions in order to impose indirect rule in the
region. |
| Economy: |
The main economic staple in the region is the palm tree, the oil of
which is extracted and sold to external markets. Among the Ibibio, those
of the highest rank in the Ekpo society, Amama, often control the majority
of the community wealth. The Amama often appropriate hundreds of acres of
palm tree for their own use and ensure with the profits they earn that
their sons achieve comparable rank, effectively limiting access to
economic gain for most members of the community. The Ekpo society requires
that its initiates sponsor feasts for the town, which fosters the
appearance of the redistribution of wealth by providing the poor with food
and drink. In effect, this allows the disparity in wealth to be
perpetuated in Ibibio society. |
| Political Systems: |
Individual villages are ruled by a group of village elders (Ekpo Ndem
Isong) and the heads of extended families. Their decisions are enforced by
members of the Ekpo society who act as messengers of the ancestors (ikan).
Ekpo members are always masked when performing their policing duties, and
although their identities are almost always known, fear of retribution
from the ancestors prevents most people from accusing those members who
overstep their social boundaries, effectively committing police brutality.
Membership is open to all Ibibio males, but one must have access to wealth
to move into the politically influential grades. |
| Religion: |
Ibibio religion is based on paying tribute to the village ancestors.
Failing to appease these ancestors will result in the wrath of the Ekpo
society. The most important ancestors are those who achieved high rank
while living, usually the house heads. They may control the fortunes of
the descendants and are free to afflict those who fail to make the proper
offering or those who fail to observe kinship norms. Ala is the earth
deity and is appeased through Ogbom ceremony, which is believed to make
children plentiful and to increase the harvest. It is performed in the
middle of the year, every eighth day for eight weeks by each section of
the village in turn. |
