Comprehensive History:
What is now known and recognised as Akwa Ibom State was just a mere divisional existence of a people who were living in their own autonomous set ups prior to the creation of additional states by General Ibrahim Babangida in 1987. That is one of the key Facts about Akwa Ibom.
Similarly, among the key Facts about Akwa Ibom is that, he people of the present Akwa Ibom had four major ethnic groups, each having it own traditional peculiarities and leadership which administered the set up. These ethnic groups – the Annang, Ibibio, Efik and Oron – predated British invasion of Calabar in 1904 where the influence of the Obongs, Edidems, Eteidungs, and others was reduced, thus giving rise to the new system of government that the British invaders introduced.
Prior to the British’s arrival, some Scottish missionaries who arrived Calabar in 1848 were already firmly rooted, propagating what was known then as an alien gospel of Christ. These missionaries were arguably interested in the propagation of the gospel; not conquest. That also makes the list of weird facts about Akwa Ibom.
As they continued in deepening the good news they brought, an area called Enyong Division which had Ikot Ekpene as its headquarters was formed. One Africanist, Kaanan Nair described the then Enyong Division as the cultural and political capital of the Annang and Ibibio people. These are weird facts about Akwa Ibom.
The creation of the Enyong Division soon became a rallying point for the Ibibio and Annang speaking groups. These groups, by reason of the unity Enyong afforded, started coming together in culture and social interactions. As they continued, the thought to go further and strengthen the existing bond was conceptualised, and consequently, Ibibio Welfare Union, a foremost Socio- cultural organization, was formed in 1928. This union grew in lips and bounds and took care of the local improvement and development of the few who were educated as at that time and even went on to offer education to some of its members who needed Western Education at the time.
Before long, the union was renamed Ibibio State Union because of it interest in the development of the people and it vastness in serving as a united front for the progress of the people.
In addition to the Ibibio State Union was the Obolo Union which comprised Ibeno and Adoni stocks. Interestingly, this group was formed as a socio-economic and cultural organization to broker unity and oneness among the two tribes. The Ibeno people, prior to the formation of the union, were involved in fighting wars which attempted to subsume their very existence as a people.
The two unions, particularly Ibibio State Union, at a point, became a strong voice for the creation of more states from the 12 that General Yakubu Gowon created in 1967. Following this development, the mainland part of Calabar province in the then Eastern Nigeria was merely a part of the South Eastern State.
But the Ibibio State Union was not satisfied with this, as it major demand was for the creation of more states so that ethnic groups that existed which later became Akwa Ibom State could have self- government. In view of this demand, the union’s voice became more audible such that it became some sort of a struggle for the emancipation of the people who never fared well being part of Cross River State that benefited from Gowon’s creation of the first set of states in Nigeria.
When the Second Republic collapsed in 1983, following a bloodless coup hatched by Major Muhammadu Buhari which ousted the civilian administration of Alhaji Shehu Shagari, the Ibibio State Union resumed it struggle. A memorandum was submitted to the new military government of General Buhari which was signed 10 Paramount Rulers that made up the 10 mainland part of the then Cross River State. Unfortunately, the demand died unattended to, by General Buhari.
As Nigeria evolved militarily then, a new government was ushered in through yet another coup. General Ibrahim Babangida became the Military Head of State in 1985.
In 1986, General Babangida set up a political bureau to define the future direction for the country. This move, apparently was to assuage for the sentiments and hatred that had been built up against the military following their long sway in power, which by all standards, was and is still a misnomer.
Sensing that the Babangida government was determined to give the country some direction through creating more states, Ibibio State Union seized the opportunity and submitted the another memorandum.
On 23rd September, 1987, over four decades agitation of the people was actulised, as the four ethnic divisions were synchronized and given a state called Akwa Ibom, nicknamed “the Land of Promise”. For the people of Akwa Ibom State, this unbundling was more than a liberation spanning many decades.
Cultural Practices and Traditions:
Many historians have often described Akwa Ibom as a state with a homogeneity of culture, indicating the common existence of the people. Although there are slightly different folkways practiced by the people, the basic cultural norms are the same. This implies that the people have a common ancestry, and perhaps a common history as well.
The communality of the people can further be seen glaringly in their cuisines, beliefs, dressing, dances, myths, folklore and songs. These distinctive ways of life of the people define who they are, and where they came from. They also provide exhilarating experiences to tourists and visitors to the state who stream in to savour the refreshing rich cultural practices available in the three major tribes in the state: Ibibio, Annang and Oro.
Prominent Cultural Dances:
Oko
This is a dance that is usually displayed by only men because of its ferocity and war-like in nature. This dance involves machetes and Dane guns. The men who are mostly initiates use the machetes to slash one another, but without any physical injury to the body.
They are usually fortified with traditional powers so as not to get any injury in the process of engaging in the mysterious dance. They equally use the Dane guns with live bullets in those guns to shoot each other while dancing and brandishing their fetish powers.
Oko dance is a secret society that only men who are initiates and have the strength of the mind get involved in. It is forbidden for women to belong and men who are fearful as well.
Asian Ubo Ikpa
Asian ubo Ikpa means the flamboyant dance of maidens who must have passed through the certification of the traditions that they are indeed beautiful maidens. This traditional dance is usually performed by girls between the ages of Windows and 25 who much have completed their traditional institution called “ mbokpo”.
Mbokpo is a period where a girl is confined, fattened, fed and drilled on the various ways of home management. It main aim is to educate the girl child on what it entails to be a good house wife to her suitor.
It is also a period where the would-be wife proves her innocence and fidelity as a virgin. It is expected that any maiden undergoing this traditional preparation must not lose her virginity before this time. If she loses it, it becomes a taboo and the society frowns seriously at this.
Mbre
Mbre is a traditional dance festival performed one in a year during New yam celebration. The women would dance to the market, village square and neighbouring villages to herald the arrival of new yam in their community. Sometimes, this dance can be used by the women to protest men domination or wicked high- handedness as would reflect in the vulgarity of the songs they normally sing and chants the hum.
Nkerebe
Nkerebe, which means looking for a husband, is a traditional dance specifically meant for young girls who are rip for marriage and about to enter the institution of “ mbokpo”. Usually, this dance is organized by the women folks who think their female children have attained puberty and should marry, customarily.
Asian Mbre Iban
This is a traditional dance where young maidens use to inform unmarried men in the community that they are beautiful, rip and ready for them in married. It is sung like an idyll. It is a song for invitation. Only girls who have attained the traditional age of marriage – from 18 and above- are allowed to take part in the dance.
Ndok Ufok Ebe
Ndok Ufok Ebe (shame on a bad marriage ) is a traditional dance meant to allow married women express their grievances to their husbands who have maltreated them. The dance is performed once in a year. During the performance, the women would go topless or bare breasted, singing, wailing and spreading their clothes on the ground to sway traditional authorities into action.
Ekpo
This is a traditional display only meant for men who are initiates. It is practiced once in a year. During this people, non- initiates and the women are not allowed to either see the ekpo or go out. It is a sort of traditional initiation for young boys just to confirm the attainment of their manhood.
Here are 5 Fascinating Places in Akwa Ibom:
Akwa Ibom State remained a destination for many, especially for politicians and investors who trip into the state for political and business meetings and conferences. Some of the fascinating places in the state include:
- Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort:
Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort is located along Nwaniba Road, in Uruan Local Government Area of the state.
- Unity Park (Cenotaph)
Unity Park is a popular place in Uyo, the state capital, where people visit for recreation and relaxation. It offers its visitors freshness and quietness a place of that very nature can give.
- Oron Museum
Oron Museum was established in1958 to provide accommodation for over eight hundred ancestral artifacts (ekpu obio) of the Oron people. This museum is believed to house the finest and oldest surviving wood carvings of the ancestral people of the area.
- National Museum of Colonial History:
The National Museum of Colonial History was established in 1989 to accommodate colonial relics. It is located within Governor’s Office Complex along Willington Bassey Way, Uyo.
- Ibom Connection (Ibom Plaza)
Ibom Connection is located in the heart of Uyo, the state capital. It is a relaxation centre for indigenes and visitors alike. It has exquisite environment and beautiful flowers that give it a unique view.
