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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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Who are the Ibibio?

Excerpts from various Internet Sources:

Akwa Ibom Dancers The Ibibio (in excess of 5 million population) have lived in the Akwa-Ibom/Cross River area of modern day Nigeria for several hundred years, and while written information about them only exists in colonial records from the late 1800s on, oral traditions have them in the region much earlier than this.

Right up till the Second World War era all these ethnic groups regarded themselves and were seen as one. As an ethnic entity, they were the first to create the consciousness of statehood with the formation of the Ibibio State Union which gave scholarship opportunites to deserving sons prominent among whom was the distinguished late Justice Udo Udoma. However the increased political conciousness created by the Second World War brought about the schism which created five new distinct ethnic nationalities for political expediency.

Secret societies: Ekpo, Ekoong, Ekpe Ikpa Ukod.

Deities: Etefia Ikono, Atara Ukara, Itauma, Edoho Ekid, Orutin Asang Oron, Itiat Esuk Atabong, Ata Offiong (Eastern) Nsid, Ebuhudo Ebuhu, Anansa Efik, Edoho Ukwa Ekid Afia Etoi (Etoi), Akpasima Ndem Ima Ibesikpo, Anantia Ibiono, Itina Iman, Awa Itam, Atuk Idim Iwawa, Akpan Eduo Ndikpo, Ayang Nsid, Ukana Offod, Udo Oku (Oku), Mkpatan Uda, Atakpo Urua Eye, Ata Okpo Ndem Uruan

Days of the week: Fiong etok, Adere obo, Obo, Urua Obom, Fiong aran, Adere etaha, Etaha, Urua Ukat

Currency used before the advent of westernization: Okpoho

Popular Dances/Masquerades: Ebre, Mbopo, Abang, Abio Akpo, Ekpo, Ekoong, Itembe, Nkokod

Musical Instruments: Obodom (Wodden Gong), Nsak (Rattle), Ibid (Drum), Akangkang (Metal Gong)

Main economic resource: The palm tree, the oil of which is extracted and sold.

Judicial Instruments: Mbiam (Juju), Idiong (Divination), Afia/Ukang (Ordeal), Nnuk Eniin (Elephant tusk), Ayei (Young palm frond), Ikpaisong/Ayeyin (Maternal Grand-children), Ukod (In-laws), Iman (Ally), Nka (Age grades), Abre, Iban Isong (Women's government)

Other economic resources: Rubber, cocoa, rice, cassava, yam, plantain, banana, maize, and timber.

Afang Soup The Ibibio are are famous for both their culinary skills and their delicious and nutritionally rich cuisine. Edikang-Ikong (Vegetable soup), Afia Afere (White soup) and Afang soup (pictured to the right) have attained national and international prominence. Ekpang Nkukwo (cocoyam porridge) is also widely acknowledged as a delicacy worthy of savouring.

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Ibibio 101 Video