Exploring the Rich History of the Efik People

Summary

Sources

en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.org

The Efik people are an ethnic group that primarily resides in southern Nigeria and western Cameroon, specifically in Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State. Their presence is notably significant in Calabar and the southern part of Cross River State. Historically, the term Old Calabar was used to describe a collection of Efik settlements, including Duke Town, Creek Town, and Old Town. This term was synonymous with the Efik people, who were also referred to as the Calabar people in historical literature. The Efik language, a member of the Benue–Congo subfamily of the Niger-Congo language group, plays a crucial role in the cultural and social identity of the Efik people. It has served as a language of commerce and religious instruction in the Cross River region and has been spoken in various communities in Western Cameroon. The Efik language has also integrated words from other ethnic groups, reflecting the diverse influences and interactions throughout their history. The Efik people have a complex and notable history, particularly concerning their involvement in the slave trade. They operated as slave traders and middlemen, facilitating the transport of slaves from inland areas to European traders. This role positioned them as key players in the transatlantic slave trade. However, following the decline of the slave trade, the Efik transitioned to the palm oil trade, which became a significant economic activity. Alongside palm oil, they traded other commodities such as rubber, ivory, barwood, and redwood, establishing commercial relationships with Portuguese, Dutch, English, and French traders. The historical significance of the Efik people extends beyond trade. Their society, originally consisting of seven clans, evolved into a melting pot of diverse origins due to the rise of Calabar as a commercial center in the eighteenth century. This diversity included inward migration from Sierra Leoneans, Lebanese, Cameroonians, Jamaicans, and other communities. Despite these changes, children of Efik maternal descent are still considered Efik, contributing to the communitys development and cultural richness. Understanding the Efik peoples history and their role in regional trade provides a comprehensive view of their historical significance and cultural heritage. Their transition from the slave trade to palm oil exportation marks a pivotal shift in their economic activities, reflecting broader changes in regional and global trade dynamics. The Efik language and the diverse composition of their society continue to be central to their identity and historical legacy. Exploring the origins of the Efik people reveals a rich tapestry of migration and cultural evolution. The widely accepted Ibibio origin theory suggests that the Efik are descendants of the Ibibio people. This theory is supported by various missionaries, explorers, colonial anthropologists, and historians. One early proponent, Consul Hutchinson, stated in 1858 that the inhabitants of Duke Town, Old Town, and Creek Town were descendants of the Ibibio tribe. Similarly, colonial anthropologist M.D.W. Jeffreys posited that a small Ibibio clan called Ebrutu was the earliest stock of the Efik. Contrastingly, the less widely accepted Oriental origin theory, favored by indigenous Efik historians such as E.U. Aye and Eyo Okon Akak, suggests that the Efik people migrated from Palestine or a nearby region. Although this theory lacks the broad support of the Ibibio origin theory, it remains a significant part of Efik historiography. The early migrations of the Efik people are marked by their departure from Ibom in present-day Arochukwu to Uruan. Oral traditions and historical accounts indicate that the Efik arrived in Uruan in four groups: Iboku, Enwang, Usukakpa, and Abayen. They were ruled by priest-kings, known as Ndidem, and lived under a distinct set of religious customs. Conflicts began to arise due to differing religious practices, such as the Efiks refusal to worship the Uruan deity Atakpor Uruan Inyang, and the Uruans aversion to Efik customs like burying strangers with their dead. These tensions, combined with incidents like an Efik womans dispute with an Uruan woman over a broken axe, eventually escalated into the Uruan-Efik war, leading the Efik to leave Uruan. From Uruan, the Efik migrated to Ikpa Ene, also known as Old Efik Island. However, their stay at Ikpa Ene was short-lived due to conflicts with the Uruan people, who attacked them in an attempt to retrieve royal emblems believed to have been taken by the Efik. This led to the Efiks further migration to Ndodoghi. At Ndodoghi, the Efik experienced a series of unfortunate events, including frequent crocodile attacks and the death of their priest-king, Ema Atai Ema Atai. These adversities prompted the Efik to seek a more stable settlement. The largest group of Efik eventually settled in Creek Town, led by Edidem Eyo Ema Atai. The exact time of their arrival is uncertain, with estimates ranging from the fourteenth to the seventeenth century. By the time the first European sailing vessel arrived in 1625, the Efik had already established settlements in Creek Town and Old Town. Creek Town became a significant settlement, with the Efik occupying various parts of the town based on family divisions. The establishment of Duke Town, also known as Atakpa, followed. Although it was initially occupied by the Enwang people, a significant migration from Creek Town led to its development as a major Efik settlement. The Enwang, who were the earlier settlers, eventually moved to Henshaw Town, allowing the Efik to fully occupy Duke Town. These migrations and settlements were pivotal in shaping the Efiks social and political structures. Creek Town, Duke Town, and Old Town became central to Efik history, serving as hubs of trade, culture, and governance. The Efiks strategic location along the Cross River facilitated their roles as middlemen in regional and international trade, further solidifying their historical significance. In summary, the origins and migrations of the Efik people are characterized by a series of movements driven by conflicts, cultural practices, and the quest for stable settlements. Their eventual establishment in Creek Town, Duke Town, and Old Town laid the foundation for their economic and cultural prominence in the region.