THE EFIK STATE OF CALABAR

The Non Centralized State

Location of Efik state of calabar

The Efik people are predominantly found in sourthern Cross River State, in south-eastern Nigeria. They
occupy five out of the eighteen Local Government Area of the State (Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Calabar
Municipality, Calabar South, and Odukpani) .The original name for Calabar was Akwa Akpa, from Efik
language; the city is watered by the Calabar and Great Kwa Rivers and creeks of the Cross River from its
inland deita.

Origin of Efik State of Calabar

The actual origin of the Efik people is unknown and a subject of debate. There are claims that the Efki
people migrated from the hinterland and settled in the Ibioibo and Cameroun territories. The people
seem to have run into trouble first in Arochukwu; The Aros wanted the Efik immigrants to worship their
longjuju called Ibritamchuku but Efik refused and said they were worshippers of Abasi Ibom (Ibom god).
The Aros asked them to get away from their town if they were not prepared to worship Ibritam and so a
religious dispute arose. Secondly, the last major ethnic group among whom the Efik lived in fairly recent
times were the Ibibio (possibly at Uruan) from whom may have acquired the name Efki meaning
“Oppressors” There are also claim that suggests that the Efki are of the Bantu origin. Due to civil
conflicts and war, the Efki people migrated down the Cross River to seek new homes for themselves in
the 1600s. They first attempted to relocate to a place which has since been called Old Efki. Various
differences and wars created more separation and migration up to river to Mbiabo. Some of the Efki
people chose to settle in what are now known as Creek town, Duke town and hensahw town.

In Efki Mythology, Abassi is the creator god. Abassi, created two humans and then decided to not allow
them to live on earth. His wife Atai, persuaded him to let them do so, in order to control the humans,
Abassi insisted they eat all their meals with him, thereby keeping them from growing or hunting food.
He also forbids them to procreate. Soon, though, the woman began growing food in the earth, and they
stopped showing up to eat with Abassi. Then the man joined his wife in the fields, and before long there
were children also.

Socio –Political Structure of the Calabar Kingdom

Initially, it would appear that the socio- political organization of the Efki was of non- centralized type.
They lived in segmented, semi- autonomous communities in which people were bound together by a
network of associations like age grade institutions. The Efki had the Egbo (Ekpe) and Obongowo for their
male population, the female association was called Ibong Isong. In between these societies was the
council of Priest or Heads (Yabot) which exercised moral authority over the entire population, regardless
of age or sex.The Ekpe society, Nsibidi secret writings, and Ukara textile were significant forces in the
administration of the Efki state of calabar. Nkuho, fattening room and Ekombi the cultural dance were
among the most revered cultural practices among the Efki.
1. The Obong; The obong, or paramount leaders, elected from among the heads of various
houses,traditionally exercised his authority as head of the Ekpe (Egbo) In additiona to ritual
propitiation of the forest spirits to ensure the well- being of the community, this graded secret
male society made and enforced laws by fines, capital punishment, or boycotts; judged cases;
maintained internal peace; and served as the executive government of Efki society.
2. Ekpe secret society; The Ekpe is the name of a masquerade among the Efki pf Calabar, the term
is also the name of the leopard and of the traditional sacred institution that owns the mask. The
Ekpe society is the most renowned traditional institution in Efki history for the fact the
institution was a pre-colonial police and judiciary system. The Ekpe was vested with the powers
of policing and bringing justice to the Efki kingdom. In essence, the Epke society was the law
before the advent of colonialism and western democracy.
3. Nsibidi Secret writings: The literal importance of the Efki language dates back to the time period
between 4000 and 5oooBC. The language is perhaps the earliest known signifier of an attempt
at keeping written records after the Efki started a form of secret writing known as “NSIDIDI”
Nsibidi is used by the Ekpe secret leopard society. Nsibidi is used as the means of transmitting
Ekpe symbolism. Nsibidi includes a whole range of verbal and non-verbal sign systems, including
body movement, eye language, drawing in the air, or on the floor with the feet an many more.
4. Ukara Textile clothes: One of the most prominent works of the Ekpe society is the Ukara cloth, a
fabric that is used by members of the cult. As the official and traditional apparel of the Ekpe
society, the ukara is blue and white fabric with two dimensional motifs called Nsibidi.Nsibidi
motifs aslo form a good part of the Ekpe masquerade’s costume.Ukara cloth serves several
functions;
(A) It is used by Ekpe members of sufficient rank and wealth, and these men are its designners.
(B) Most ukara cloths are custom-made for specific individuals or ritual uses. A goods many are
personalized these days with their owners names “Wrtten” in one corner.
(C) Patterns are drawn from the Ukara cloth by Ekpe society members, incorporating both common
Ekpe designs and symbols with personal meaning for the prospective owner.
5. The Seven Virgin Young Men: The ukara cloth and as body decorations among the Efiks, it is also
the name of a special term of seven virgin young men (members of the Ekpe society) who are
sent to make attract the death penalty. On this trip the nsibidi are masked with multicolour
body painting
6. Nkuho ( The fattening Room): The fattening Room is an aged old tradition of the Efki people of
Calabar, which has been greatly modified for today’s generation. This ancient tradition is the
training given to young women while they are insulation to prepare them for marriage and
womanhood. During this period the girl is being cared for by older women and is not allowed to
come in contact with other people. She is put in the room where on a daily basis, is massaged
three times, fed about six large portions of food ( like porridge, plantain, yam fufu and assorted
pepper soups), drinks three pints of water three times and gets plenty of sleep. This process
ensures the bride gets a healthy waistline. According to the Efki people, they believe a woman
who is full figured with a healthy waistline is beautiful. In the fattening Room the girl goes
through domestic training of home economics (like cooking and housekeeping), childcare and
how to respect and make her husband to be and his family happy. The older women give advice
 about their experience in marriage to ensure a successful one. After this, the preparation for the
marriage begins.
7. Ekombi (The Cultural) Dance: Another important part of Efki cultural training are the cultural
dances (Ekombi), folklore, folktales, songs and other forms of entertainment. Skills in artistic
designs on Calabash and other materials are taught as well. All this to prepare her for marriage
and womanhood.
8. Face and Body Painting: The face and body painting with Ndom among the Efki people
symbolizes purity and love.
The Economy of Calabar Kingdom
th
Since the 16 century, Calabar had been a recognized international seaport, shipping out goods
such as palm oil. During the era of the Atlantic Slave trade, it became a major port in the
transportation of African slaves and was named Calabar by the Spanish. Although their economy
was originally based on fishing, the area quickly developed into a major trading center and
remained so well into the 1900s. Incoming European goods were traded for slaves, palm oil and
other palm products.
Food crops including yams, cassava, rice, and corn (maize) are cultivated. Deep-sea fishing and
shrimping along the coast are also important. The staple foods are yams and cassava, fruits, fish
and vegetables. The art of calabash carving and brass carving with brass tray decoration are still
a big part of the women culture. This art is being handed down to the younger generation.
Growth of Efki State of Calabar
Calabar has three principal landlord kingdoms,namely The Qua kingdom of Ejagham (Ekoi) Bantu
origin, The Efut and the Efki Kingdoms .
Decline of Calabar Kingdom
1. It is the attempt to do away or dishonor this contract of understanding that is at the root of
the Obong of Calabar crises
2. Educational exposure, foreign culture, technology. Introduction of Christianity; all these
affected the performance of Ekpe (Leopard) masquerade cult.
3. The Ekpe cult lost its executive, judiciary and administrative power, power changed hands
from the distinguished Ekpe cult to the democratized government of the day in Nigeria.
4. European legacy, cultural interference, de-emphasis of traditional values, norms, beliefs,
and religion are some key factors that affected the performance of Ekpe cuit lost its
dictatorial grip on the masses.