On September 23, 1987, the southwestern third of Cross River state got created as a new state called Akwa Ibom State. Thus, Akwa Ibom was created by combining the Uyo, Ikot Ekpene, Eket and Abak divisions of old Calabar province.
The main spoken languages are Ibibio, Annang, Eket and Oron language.
The people are predominantly of the Christian faith.
Which tribe owns Akwa Ibom?
Government. Politics in Akwa Ibom State are dominated by the three main ethnic groups: the Ibibio, Annang, and Oro. Of these three, the Ibibio remain the majority and have held sway in the state since its creation.
The Ibibio People.
The Ibibio people consist of a group of African tribes found mostly in the southeastern coastal portion of Nigeria. The Ibibio population is estimated at 6,509,000. They make up the majority of the people who live in the state of Akwa Ibom and are active participants in the running of the government.
History of the Ibibio Tribes
The Ibibio tribes have a long history in Nigeria. They are speculated to have arrived in the region circa 7,000 BCE. Several points of origination are debated, with the modern nation of Cameroon, the Benue Valley (Nigeria), and Old Calabar (Nigeria) as likely contenders. Regardless of their genesis, the Ibibio people are thought to be among the earliest people to live in Nigeria.
They settled in Ibom (Arochukwa) and remained in Ibom until the Igbo people immigrated into the area. The Igbo and the Ibibio vied for dominance over one another as they competed for resources and trade. The Igbo, circa 1690 to 1720, formed a confederacy called the Aro Confederacy, alternatively called the Arochukwu Confederacy. The confederacy consisted of Igbo, another tribe called the Akpa, as well as some Ibibio groups.
Ibibio Culture
The Ibibio people have a rich culture with traditions, customs, and rituals dating back centuries. The following sections discuss Ibibio society, rituals, religion, and body ornamentation.
Ibibio Society
Ibibio society is patriarchal and patrilineal, and the villages and towns of the Ibibio people are governed by those who identify as male. Inheritance and land are also dominated by a system in which the eldest son is the beneficient of both. The two principal leaders of the Ibibio are the ete otun, a secular leader, and the ete ekpuk, a religious or moral leader who acts as a guide for the ete otun. A council of elders, as well as members of a secret society, act as judges, a jury, and a decision-making body for local matters.
Traditional Ibibio society can be divided into the following manner:
Household – Typically the nuclear family, including in some cases more than one wife
Household group – Compounds in which family and extended family live next to or near one another
Subfamily – A group of household groups
Family – A group of subfamilies comes together
Village – Consists of numerous families
Lineage – A group of allied villages that are forbidden to go to war with one another; lineages recognize a common ancestor from which they believe they are descended.
Ibibio Rituals and Rites.
The secret societies of the Ibibio use masks as part of their rituals and dances
A carved wooden face of a woman with hair parted and braided
The Ibibio people have rituals and rites that are divided along gender lines (those who identify as male and those who identify as female) and age sets. Ages sets begin at around ten, which is when children are grouped together to begin learning about their role in Ibibio society.
Ibibio Language
The language of the Ibibio is called Ibibio and Efik-Ibibio, both of which belong to the Niger-Congo family of languages, more specifically, the Benue-Congo branch of that family. Efik is the dominant language and is used in literature. It first became a written language in the 19th century, whereas Ibibio did not officially become a written language until the late 20th century.
Characteristics of the Ibibio People
Skilled in woodcarving and weaving. Subsistence farming which includes common crops such as yams, cassava, beans, maize, and taro. Believe that people are born into their nature; that they are the way they are by nature.
Where are the Ibibio people from?
The Ibibio people are from Nigeria, in western Africa. The majority of Ibibio people live in southern and southeastern Nigeria along the coast.
What language do the Ibibio people speak?
The Ibibio people speak Ibibio and Efik-Ibibio. The languages are part of the Niger-Congo family of languages, more specifically, the Benue-Congo branch.
What are the Ibibios known for?
The Ibibio people are known for their wood carving, especially the carving of masks. These masks can be articulated or inarticulated. Lighter-colored masks represent females in their culture and are more beautiful, while darker and uglier masks represent males.
Next we shall be looking at the historical culture of the Annang people.
