Ekoi People (Ejagham)
The Ekoi people, also known as Ejagham, are an ethnic group located in southeastern Nigeria and extending into southwestern Cameroon. They primarily speak the Ejagham language, one of the Ekoid languages, which are part of the Bantoid branch of the Niger–Congo language family. Closely related ethnic groups include the Etung, Ofutop, Akparabong, Nde, Ishibori, Bansarra, Ufia, and Yakö. The Ekoi have historically lived near the Biase, Efik, Annang, and Ibibio peoples of southern Nigeria.
They are best known for their use of Nsibidi script and elaborate Ekpe headdresses, with strong traditions in art, masquerade, and secret societies.
Geography
In Nigeria, the Ekoi people are primarily found in Cross River State. Their villages, known as etek, are typically located near rivers or streams to ensure access to fresh water. Landmarks such as coconut trees or mboma trees mark the entrances of Ekoi villages. These riverine settlements historically facilitated trade and communication.
Language
The Ekoi speak Ejagham, one of the Ekoid languages. They are considered the likely originators of the Nsibidi script, an indigenous ideographic writing system believed to predate Western contact. According to local folklore, Nsibidi was taught to them by mermaids.
The script contains numerous symbols to represent abstract ideas:
- Over 12 symbols for love
- 7 symbols for hatred
- 7 for speech
- 8 for mirror
- 14 for a set table
- 6 for journeys
Symbols shaded in often indicate danger or death. Nsibidi is known more for its aesthetic and symbolic qualities than its use in structured sentences.
History
Origins and Migration
Genetic studies show that the predominant paternal haplogroup among the Ejagham is E1b1a1-M2. Their ancestors migrated from Northeast Africa across the Green Sahara, eventually settling near Lake Ejagham in what is now southeastern Nigeria. This migration coincided with the African Neolithic and the Bantu expansion.
According to local scholar Ntufam Ndifon Attah, the name "Ejagham" derives from three words:
- Ekub (whole)
- Ejag (split)
- Haam (endlessly moving)
Together, these refer to a once-unified people now seeking reunification.
Development and Kingdoms
By 200 CE, the Ejagham had developed a sophisticated civilization with a centralized kingdom, agriculture, ironworking, hunting, and fishing. Their achievements include the Ikom monoliths, monumental stones engraved with inscriptions and symbols believed to be written in Nsibidi.
Aro-Ibibio War
The Ejagham (specifically the Akpa subgroup) played a key role as mercenaries during the Aro-Ibibio Wars, aiding Igbo settlers against proto-Ibibio forces. The Arochukwu Kingdom was later founded by Akuma Nnubi, an Akpa leader.
Colonialism and the Slave Trade
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Atlantic slave trade devastated Ekoi society. Old Calabar was a major slave port, and the Ekoi were among those captured. Ekoi cultural artifacts—especially drums and headdresses—remain influential in the Afro-Cuban traditions.
The German-Ekoi War (1899–1904) occurred when German colonial forces retaliated against resistance by Ekoi communities in Cameroon. Meanwhile, Ekoi people in British Nigeria did not intervene due to colonial divisions.
Society and Culture
Social Structure
The Nkwa-mbuk society oversaw rituals, warfare, and initiation rites, including headhunting. Male warriors who brought back enemy heads or skins were honored. Chiefs (Ntuis) were marked by regalia made of leopard teeth and skins.
Land ownership followed ancestral rights, though newcomers could purchase settlement rights. Women traditionally practiced fishing and farming, growing yams, maize, and plantains.
Spiritual Life
The Ekoi worship two main deities:
- Obassi Nsi (female) – nurturing, lives underground, associated with the earth and afterlife.
- Obassi Osaw (male) – feared, associated with death and destruction.
Though opposites, these deities are complementary and are believed to share offerings.
Secret Societies
Mgbe and Nnimm
- Mgbe (Leopard Society): A powerful secret society for men, enforcing law and tradition.
- Nnimm Society: For young, unmarried girls. Members wore body paint, shell-adorned skirts, calabash jewelry, and Nnimm feathers, later symbolically adopted in Afro-Cuban culture.
Art and Aesthetics
The Ekoi are known for skin-covered masks, realistic sculpture, body painting, and poetry. Their masks often feature:
- Animal or human skin coverings
- Shiny eyes and human hair
- Symbolic dual faces: dark for male, light for female
Warrior-artists blended masculinity and creativity, further seen in ceremonial regalia and oral traditions.
Mythology and Folklore
Creation Myth
God created the first man and woman and instructed them to care for their child. All humans are believed to descend from them.
Animal Tale
A tale of Eagle and Ox explains predator-prey dynamics. When Fowl reveals Eagle’s hiding place, Eagle curses Fowl to always lose its young—hence, eagles eating chicks.
See Also
Bibliography
- Schaedler, Karl-Ferdinand (1984). Ekoi. Munchen: Panterra Verlag. ASIN B0007B16FU.