The Ibibio Rhythm and Dialects

The Ibibio - Rhythm and Dialects

The Ibibio (in excess of 5million 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. Anthropologically they speak dialects of Efik-Ibibio, a language of the Kwa branch of the Niger-Congo family. They comprise the following major divisions: Southern (Oron), Delta (Ibeno, Ikot-Abasi, Eket), Annang-Western (Ikot-Ekpene, Ukanafun), and Eastern and Central (Uyo, Ikono). 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.

The British found it necessary to make use of the Ekpo society traditions in order to impose indirect rule in the region. Individual villages are ruled by a group of village elders (Ekpo Ndem Isong) and the heads of extended families. Their decisions are enforced by members of the Ekpo society who act as messengers of the ancestors (ikan). Ekpo members are always masked when performing their policing duties, and 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. Ibibio religion is based on paying tribute to the village ancestors. Failing to appease these ancestors will result in the wrath of the Ekpo society. The most important ancestors are those who achieved high rank while living, usually the house heads. They may control the fortunes of the descendants and are free to afflict those who fail to make the proper offering or those who fail to observe kinship norms. Their villages consist of compounds of rectangular buildings, each with several rooms, arranged around a courtyard. Villages, numbering about 500 persons, are divided into wards and sometimes into physically distinct hamlets, occupied by separate patrilineages. Wards are governed internally by a council consisting of heads of households and the secular head of the ward. The lineage head is a moral authority who has ritual duties and serves as guardian for ancestral shrines; he may also be the secular leader. Groups of villages form larger territorial units united by traditions of descent from a single parent village or village group and by the possession of a common tutelary spirit and a common totem.

Secret societies, both male and female, are prominent in Ibibio village organization. Membership in the Ekpo society, for example, available to wealthy men who can meet the expense involved, confers high social status and political authority; these men participate in ceremonies concerned with ancestral spirits and are believed to protect the community through magic and religious ritual. Ala is the earth deity and is appeased through Ogbom ceremony, which is believed to make children plentiful and to increase the harvest. It is performed in the middle of the year, every eighth day for eight weeks by each section of the village in turn.The masks and accouterments of the Ekpo society make up the greatest works of art in Ibibio society. Drumming and music are also important elements in Ekpo ceremonies. The wooden sculpture from this area is also very detailed, and artists are just as likely to capture beauty as they are the hideous forms of evil spirits.

The main economic staple in the region is the palm tree, the oil of which is extracted and sold to external markets. Among the Ibibio, those of the highest rank in the Ekpo society, Amama, often control the majority of the community wealth. The Amama often appropriate hundreds of acres of palm tree for their own use and ensure with the profits they earn that their sons achieve comparable rank, effectively limiting access to economic gain for most members of the community. The Ekpo society requires that its initiates sponsor feasts for the town, which fosters the appearance of the redistribution of wealth by providing the poor with food and drink. In effect, this allows the disparity in wealth to be perpetuated in Ibibio society. If the Ibibio were once one ethnic group what were the similarities? The similarities exist mainly in the way of life and the language. Take the language for instance, the word "one"

Ibibio Central- kiet'

Delta- kiang'

The phrase "that thing"

Ibibio Central- 'mkpoh do'

Annang- 'mpo deh'

Amongst the Ibibio, the most commonly used dialects by all 4 divisions is Central Ibibio which over time has been used as the literary language of the group and which is largely used for everyday communication. Ibibio Central is by far the largest in terms of population hence the predominace of their language amongst their fellow Ibibio kin. By nature the Annang Ibibio are the most temperemental and warlike of the Ibibio people.

The Ibibio are are famous not just for their culinary skills but also for the palately delicious and nutritionally rich cusine which comes from the kitchen of the Ibibio. Edikang-ikong , afia efere (white soup) and Afang soups have attained international and national prominence. Ekpang nkukwo (cocoyam porridge) are widely acknowledged as delicacies worthy of savouring.

The place of the women folk in the Ibibio society is unique. The prospective bride in Ibibioland must undergo a fattening ceremony before she is received by her husband. This implies that the Ibibio revere robust women. The fame of the Ibibio woman as a woman who can satisfy her spouse perfectly is an open secret. The Ibibio man has been refered to on many an occasion as a womaniser , that opinion is quite personal . What holds is that the Ibibio's as a people have contributed in no small measure to the development of Nigeria.

Oct 2002