Ibom Heritage launches new book on Ibibio Nation
Ibom Heritage is to launch a new book entitled: “Ibibio Nation: History and Culture” on 25th March, 2022 at Ibom Icon and Golf Resort, Uyo.
The book –“Ibibio Nation: History and Culture” which is written by a renowned author, Oto-Obong Aniefiok Uwah (FCA), is in addition to Ibibio historiography and Culture Studies, and has it foreword written by Emeritus Prof. Ekong Edem Ekong (OFR).
Addressing a Press Conference last Thursday on the development, the Director of Ibom Heritage, Mr. Ottoabasi Abasiekong said it became imperative to launch the book in view of the importance of cultural and anthropological studies in the preservation of the human races and in more specific terms, the African.
According to him, forgetting history was like a recipe for repeating it, and therefore, the debut of the book is timely if the Nigerian nation must move past its social cohesion challenges that have confronted her for years now.
“Today is the day we restate the importance of cultural and anthropological studies in the preservation of the human races and in more specific terms, the African race.
“It is said that forgetting history is a recipe for repeating it. The Nigerian nations will move past its social cohesion challenges only when it intentionally references history and learns from it”.
The Director said the intention of launching such a magnificent historical book as Ibibio Nation, in addition to providing a ready study source material, the book will also help in enshrining a sense of identity and nationhood in the minds of Ibibio people, while propagating future that is rooted in self-identification.
“Today marks the beginning of a journey back in time as we hope to use the book, Ibibio Nation: History and Culture to deeply enshrine a sense of identity and nationhood in the minds of every Ibibio son and daughter and to enlighten Nigerians that propagating a prosperous future is rooted in the culture of self-knowledge and preservation.
“Thus, we wish to notify you of the formal presentation of this very important book that will add to the repository of knowledge of the subject matter-Ibibio History and Culture. We introduce you to this upcoming event to present the book “Ibibio Nation: History and Culture” written by Oto-Obong Aniefiok Uwah (FCA). This worthy addition to Ibibio historiography and culture studies had the Foreword written by emeritus Professor of Cultural Anthropology and Culture, Ekong Edem Ekong (OFR)”.
The book is made up of two sections with ten chapters. It is written in a language that attempts to satisfy the yearnings of many proper Ibibio men and women and every Ibom son and daughter to have the diacritics of proper Ibibio words to aid the correct reading and understanding of the language.
According to the Director, the first chapter of the book has made every attempt to expand the relationship of the Ibibio with her neighbours, the Aro and also the historical connection between the Ibibio and the Efik.
Also contained in the book is the important subject of Afaha, the warring group that conquered the aborigines they met on the way and created most of Ibibio mainland by conquest.
“A chapter on this subject matter has expanded the knowledge base on this topic of interest. Finally, contemporary topics of the last one hundred years of Ibibio history that are relevant to our today such as COR State movement, Resource Control, Women’s War of 1929, Civil War etc. are dealt with in detail as it relates to the involvement of key Ibibio men and women.
“The reality of the interesting culture of the Ibibio is espoused in the second section. The identity of the Ibibio man and woman in forms of name identity, ancestral worship, invasion of Christianity, taboos and totems etc. are detailed. Kingship and requirements for the traditional institution, marriage and inheritance within the Ibibio cultural context, “killing of twins”, importance of masquerades as social crusaders and the police of old was told in detail. Ultimately, this book will add to the resource materials available to students in tertiary institutions and aid other levers of society to properly situate the Ibibio story and its relevance to nation building.
“The book presentation proper will have a ‘Meet and Greet’, Keynote presentation and panel discussion by some of the brightest minds across the lengths and breath of Nigeria. It will also have eminently distinguished and qualified Akwa Ibom sons and daughters play major roles on the day in support of the propagation of a great heritage of the Ibibio of West Africa”.
