thumb|Ibibio mask from the Passaré collection, Milan

The Ibibio people ( ), also known as the Ibom are a coastal people in southern Nigeria. They are mostly found in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and the eastern part of Abia State. During the colonial period in Nigeria, the Ibibio Union asked for recognition by the British as a sovereign nation.

Ibibio given names

  • Iniobong is a Nigerian unisex given name of Ibibio origin meaning “God's time”.
  • Emem is a Nigerian unisex given name of Ibibio origin which means "peace", though it is now used predominantly for females.

The Annang, Ekid, Oron and Ibeno share personal names, culture, and traditions with the Ibibio, and speak closely related varieties (dialects) of Ibibio that are more or less mutually intelligible. The Ekpo and societies are a significant part of the Ibibio political system. They use a variety of masks to execute social control. Body art plays a major role in Ibibio art.<!--This appears to be sourced within its own section. If not adequately sourced, can the 'citation needed' tag be added there?-->

Origin and history

The predominant paternal haplogroup among the Ibibio is E1b1a1-M2. The ancestors of the Ibibio originally came from Northeast Africa and moved around the Green Sahara. The gradual movement of the proto-Ibibio to the Cross River Region may have been associated with the expansion of Sahel agriculture in the African Neolithic period, following the desiccation of the Sahara in c. 3500 BCE.

The Ibibio people are reputed to be one of the earliest ethnic groups inhabiting southern Nigeria. It is estimated that they arrived at their present home around 1000 B.C. In spite of the historical account, it is not clear when the Ibibio arrived at the state. Coupled with this, is the Jukun southern drive to the coast which appears to have been recently compared with the formation of Akwa Ibom settlements in their present location.

The most accepted version of Ibibio history described that the Cameroon will offer a more concise explanation of their origin.

After the first bulk of the people arrived in what later became Nigeria, they settled first in Uruan. Sections of the Ibibio people then migrated westwards, eastwards, southwards and northwards. The northern clans of the Ibibio people settled at Ibom. It is believed that this clan of the Ibibio were the aboriginal people of Ibom settlement. The settlement, located in present day Arochukwu, is said to have been founded by their forefather, Ibom, after whom they named the village. They settled there for a very long time and worshiped the God of the Sky called Abasi Ibom enyon. They also worshiped Ibini Ukpabi (Ibritam). As a result of clashes with the Igbo people who were moving southward, culminating in the Ibibio War which took place about 1630 and 1720 A.D., they left Ibom Kingdom and moved to the present day Ibibioland. Some village settlements had already been established in their current location alongside the Ibom.

Ekom Iman is a place which Iman Ibom settled and planted the Ekom tree (coula edulis) from which the name of the settlement is derived, Ekom (coula edulis) planted by Iman one of the sons of Ibom. Iman had children and some of them migrated to expand the Iman Ibom clan such villages like Ikot Obioinyang, Afagha Effiate and the entire Iman Ibom clan.

Upon the death of Iman Ibom, his spirit metamorphose into the Iman Ibom clan deity “The Itina Iman deity” and oyot is the clan deity – totem hence it is a taboo to kill or eat such mythical beast and Ebre is the totem of Ikono Ibom clan, they forbid the killing or maiming of this mythical animal. Nsit Ibom moved to Afia Nsit where there was water and settled there, and his children spread to Mbak Nsit and other places of that clan.

The Nsit Ibom totem is Iyak Anyan – the Anyan Nsit deity. They all have shared a similar characteristics of social, traditional as well as cultural Milieu and formed the center of this study.

Because of the larger population of the Ibibio people, they hold political control over Akwa Ibom State, but the government is shared with the Annangs, Eket and Oron. The political system follows the traditional method of consensus. Even though elections are held, practically, the political leaders are pre-discussed in a manner that is benefiting to all.

Location of Ibibioland

The Ibibio people live primarily in the eastern part of South-South Nigeria. Prior to the existence of Nigeria as a nation, the Ibibio people were self-governed.

Ibibio people and their brothers (the Annang, Oron and Eket) were part of the enclave called Bight of Biafra before the British creation of Eastern Nigeria. The Ibibio people became a part of the Eastern Nigeria of Nigeria under British colonial rule.

During the Nigerian Civil War, the Eastern region was split into three states. The then-Southeastern State of Nigeria was where the Ibibio were located, it was created from the original twelve states of Nigeria after Nigerian independence.

The "Southeastern State" was later renamed Cross River State. On 23 September 1987, by Military Decree No.24, Akwa Ibom State was carved out of the then Cross Rivers State as a separate state. Cross Rivers State remains as a neighboring and mothering state of Akwa Ibom State.

Southwestern Cameroon was a part of the present Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. During the then Eastern Region of Nigeria, parts were partitioned united with Cameroon in a 1961 plebiscite. This resulted in the Ibibio and Annang being divided between Nigeria and Cameroon.

However, the leadership of the Northern Region of Nigeria was able to keep the "Northwestern section" during the plebiscite that is now today's Nigerian Adamawa and Taraba States.

Demographics

Ibibio people live in all states of Nigeria, and are also represented in expatriate Nigerian communities living outside of Nigeria (high in number next to the Yoruba and Igbo peoples). Hence, there is a significant number of Ibibio people in Europe and North America as well as other countries. In addition to their state of origin, Akwa Ibom State, significant number of Ibibio are found in:

  • Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
  • Lagos State, Nigeria
  • Rivers State, Nigeria
  • Abia State, Nigeria
  • Bayelsa state, Nigeria
  • Benue state, Nigeria
  • Bioko, Equatorial Guinea
  • Western Cameroon
  • Ghana
  • Brazil
  • Cuba
  • Jamaica
  • Trinidad
  • Bahamas
  • United Kingdom
  • Canada
  • United States of America

Political system

Traditionally Ibibio society consists of communities that are made up of large families with blood affinity each ruled by their constitutional and religious head, known as the . The Obong Ikpaisong ruled with the ('head of the families'), which together with the heads of the cults and societies constitute the or ('traditional council, shrine, or court'). The decisions of the Obong Ikpaisong were enforced by members of the Ekpo or Obon society who act as messengers of the spirits and the military and police of the community. The chief will send masked individuals to confront a rule-breaker if the need arises.

Ekpo members Ekpo Masquerades are always masked when performing their policing duties. 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. The main purpose of Ekpo is to protect its people and act as a defense against potential attackers. They are concerned with issues and emergencies that pertain to the safety of the town as a whole. In addition, it serves as an outlet for men to productively use energy to benefit everyone.

In the months of June through December, the Ekpo society plays a large role in the community's life. Many activities such as farming, shopping, and obtaining food and water are prohibited on days in which the masks are out and being performed. Crimes also carry heavier consequences during this time period.

Religion

Pre-colonial era

Ibibio religion (Inam) was of two dimensions, which centered on the pouring of libation, sacrifice, worship, consultation, communication and invocation of the God of Heaven (Abasi Enyong), God of the Earth (Abasi Isong) and the Supreme Being (Abasi Ibom) by the Constitutional and Religious King/Head of a particular Ibibio Community who was known from the ancient times as the Obong-Ikpaisong (the word 'Obong Ikpaisong' directly interpreted means King of the Principalities of the Earth' or 'King of the Earth and the Principalities' or Traditional Ruler).

The second dimension of Ibibio Religion centered on the worship, consultation, invocation, sacrifice, appeasement, etc. of the God of the Heaven (Abasi Enyong) and the God of the Earth (Abasi Isong) through various invisible or spiritual entities (me Ndem) of the various Ibibio Division such as Atakpo Ndem Uruan Inyang, Etefia Ikono, Awa Itam, etc. The Priests of these Deities (me Ndem) were the Temple Chief Priests/Priestesses of the various Ibibio Divisions. A particular Ibibio Division could consist of many interrelated autonomous communities or kingdoms ruled by an autonomous Priest-King called Obong-Ikpaisong, assisted by heads of the various large families (Mbong Ekpuk) which make up the Community.

These have been the ancient political and religious system of Ibibio people from time immemorial. Tradition, interpreted in Ibibio Language, is 'Ikpaisong'. Tradition (Ikpaisong) in Ibibio Custom embodies the Religious and Political System. The word 'Obong' in Ibibio language means 'Ruler, King, Lord, Chief, Head' and is applied depending on the Office concern. In reference to the Obong-Ikpaisong, the word 'Obong' means 'King'. In reference to the Village Head, the word means 'Chief'. In reference to the Head of the Families (Obong Ekpuk), the word means 'Head' In reference to God, the word means 'Lord'. In reference to the Head of the various societies – e.g. 'Obong Obon', the word means 'Head or Leader'.

Nwed Abasi ke Iko Ibibio Ayo Mfin (Book of God in Words of Ibibio Today) translates to "The Bible in Modern Day Ibibio Language.

Arts and culture

Masks

thumb|An intentionally "ugly" mask of the Ekpo society with an articulated jaw.

The masks and accoutrements of the Ekpo society make up the greatest works of art in Ibibio society. Ibibio often purposefully play with proportions in their masks to distort the face. A component that appears often in Ibibio masks is an articulated lower jaw. Signs of baldness and walking sticks also show up often in order to portray symbols of karma and old age. Men's costumes incorporate natural materials from the wilderness such as raffia, and seed pod rattles. Women's costumes use materials such as light colored cloth to represent the order of living in the village. Ikot Ekpene is a town in Nigeria known for its marketplace in which crafts are sold to both tourists and middle-class Nigerians. Hairdressing, body painting, and body modification are the main focus of body art performed by the Ibibio. Intentional fattening of young women is another culturally important aspect of the Ibibio.

Ibibio numbers

Ibibio cardinal and ordinal numbers from zero to ten:

{| class="wikitable"

|-

!No. !! English !! Ibibio !! Ordinal

|-

|0 || Zero || || N/A

|-

|1 || One || || Àkpá (1st)

|-

|2 || Two || || Udiana (2nd)

|-

|3 || Three || || Ọyọhọ Ítá (3rd)

|-

|4 || Four || || Ọyọhọ Ínàañ (4th)

|-

|5 || Five || || Ọyọhọ Ítíòn (5th)

|-

|6 || Six || || Ọyọhọ Ítíòkèèd (6th)

|-

|7 || Seven || || Ọyọhọ Ítíábà (7th)

|-

|8 || Eight || || Ọyọhọ Ítíáìtà (8th)

|-

|9 || Nine || || Ọyọhọ Úsúk-kèèd (9th)

|-

|10 || Ten || || Ọyọhọ Dúòp (10th)

|-

|11

|Eleven

| ye/mme

|Ọyọhọ ye/mme (11th)

|-

|12

|Twelve

| ye/mme

|Ọyọhọ ye/mme (12th)

|-

|13

|Thirteen

| ye/mme

|Ọyọhọ ye/mme (13th)

|-

|14

|Fourteen

| ye/mme

|Ọyọhọ ye/mme (14th)

|-

|15

|Fifteen

|Èfịd

|Ọyọhọ Èfịd (15th)

|}

Base System

The Ibibio language uses a unique base-20 system for number up to 100

{| class="wikitable"

|-

!No. !! English !! Ibibio !! Ordinal

|-

|20 || Twenty || || Ọyọhọ Edíp (20th)

|-

|30 || Thirty || || Ọyọhọ Edíp ye/mme Dúòp (30th)

|-

|40 || Forty || || Ọyọhọ Edíp ye/mme Dúòp (40th)

|-

|50 || Fifty || || Ọyọhọ Ábà ye/mme Dúòp (50th)

|-

|60 || Sixty || || Ọyọhọ Atà (60yj)

|-

|70 || Seventy || || Ọyọhọ Atà ye/mme Dúòp (70th)

|-

|80 || Eighty || || Ọyọhọ Anàñ (80th)

|-

|90 || Ninety || || Ọyọhọ Anàñ ye/mme Dúòp (90th)

|-

|100 || One Hundred || || Ọyọhọ Íkíè (100th)

|-

|1000

|One Thousand

|Tosin

|Ọyọhọ Tosin [] (1000th)

|-

|2000

|Two Thousand

|Tosin

|Ọyọhọ Tosin (2000th)

|}

If the number isn't divisible by 20 or can have 15 added to the base number (ex. 35 - mme Èfịd [20 +15]), then the number will be built off the base-20 system (ex. 34 - mme ye/mme )

See also

  • Abakua
  • Aro Confederacy
  • British West Africa
  • Eket
  • Garifuna people
  • Ikot Udo Abia
  • Medefidrin
  • Mami Wata
  • Niger Delta
  • Southeastern Nigeria
  • Ibibio Americans

References

Sources

Further reading

  • Council of Traditional Rulers, Mbiabong Etim, briefing to Mbiabong Etim Graduates Forum on origin and migration of Mbiabong Etim people of Ini LGA, Akwa Ibom State, 2009.
  • Oto-Obong Uwah, “Ibibio Nation: History And Culture" 2022. Parrésia Publishers.
  • Udo, Edet A. (1983) Who are the Ibibio? Africana-Feb Publishers Limited. Onitsha, Nigeria.
  • Woman's Mysteries of a Primitive People (published 1915) by D. Amaury Talbot, focuses on the life of women in that culture.
  • NIGERIAN ARTS AND CULTURE DIRECTORY
  • Ibibio people<!-- If this is the source, merge with above. -->
  • Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (USA), Inc.
  • Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio International
  • Online Ibibio Dictionary
  • Works by Ibibio artists at the University of Michigan Museum of Art
  • Works by Ibibio artists at the Seattle Museum of Art
  • Evaluating the Place of the Ekpe Traditional Institution as a Tool for Nation-Building in Pre-Colonial Cross River Region