The Efik people are located in Southern Nigeria in Cross River State, Nigeria, sharing about 2% of the nation’s population. They migrated from the hinterlands during the first half of the 17th century and it took them five hundred years to settled in Ibibio, Ibo and Cameroon territories which are mainly Creek Towns, Duke Town and other settlement created by them such as Efut Abua, Efut Ekondo, Qua settlements of Akim qua and big Qua towns
According to reports, the error of the European in confusing their territory with that of the Kalabari Ijo (known as New Calabar), the Efik area became known as Old Calabar. Originally a fishing community, Old Calabar developed into a major trading centre from the 17th to the 19th century, exporting slaves and later palm oil in return for European goods. European ships had to pay a duty (comey) to Efik chiefs for the privilege of trading.
Talking about the language which is also pronounced after their name, Efik language is part of the Benue–Congo language with a symbol or signifier which was used to keep written records after the Efik started a form of secret writing known as “NSIBIDI.”
Nsidibi is used by the Ekpe secret leopard society. Nsibidi was used as a means of transmitting Ekpe symbolism. In 1812 King Eyo Nsa Honesty II of Creek Town, Calabar, created the Efik language orthography. Rev. Hugh Goldie became proficient in the Efik language and in 1862 Goldie translated the Old Testament and the book of Psalms into the Efik language making it the first Nigerian language used in translating the Holy Bible. Goldie’s other publications included an Efik dictionary and grammar books.
Moving further to the one of the peculiarity of the Efik people, Food – a basic human need, the staple foods are yams and cassava, supplemented by taro, corn (maize), fruits and vegetables, and fish. In case you don’t know, Edikang Ikong is a vegetable soup that originated among the Efik. Afang soup is another popular cuisine sort for all over the federation and beyond, the Efik people really have diverse soups.
They are also known for their traditional religion including belief in a supreme creator god, ancestral and other supernatural beings, magic, sorcery, and witchcraft. However, the publication (1868) of an Efik-language Bible – the first translation of that scripture into a Nigerian language – had a significant impact, and in the 21st century most Efik identified themselves as Christians.
A powerful bond of union among the Efik, and one that gives them considerable influence over other tribes, is the secret society known as the Ekpe, the inventor of the Nsibidi, an ancient African script. This society was transformed into the Abakuá cult in Cuba, the Bonkó cult in Bioko and the Abakuya dance in mainland Equatorial Guinea. The Ekpe society is exclusive for male, while females have their own Ekpa society. People of Efik descent are known as Ñáñigos or Carabalís in Cuba.
It will interest you to know that when it comes to marriage; Six months before marriage, Efik girls are sent to the fattening room that they may be pampered with massages from head to toe; fed as much as they would like to eat, and enlighten them on the ins and outs of marriage. This is because it is the belief of the Efik people that a woman who is full-figured with a healthy waistline is beautiful.
In addition to the above Fattening Room activities, the girl goes through domestic training of home management (like cooking, child care, and housekeeping) and how to respect and make her husband and his family happy.
OLUWASEUN AFOLABI
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