Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future
Introduction & Background When one speaks of Old Calabar in the 19th century, images of palm oil wealth, bustling markets, and trading ships anchored along the Cross River come to mind. But beneath this economic dynamism lay a society deeply rooted in tradition, where law, order, and spirituality were enforced not by kings alone, but … Read more
Introduction The history of African peoples is often told through their cultures, oral traditions, folklores, and the subtle ways communities borrow from one another while still retaining unique identities. Among the many fascinating cultural intersections in West and Central Africa, the relationship between the Efik people of Cross River State, Nigeria, and the Ejagham clans, … Read more
Setting the Stage – Efik Elegance and the Onyonyo There is a certain magic that lingers in Calabar weddings, a kind of aura that makes them stand apart from many other cultural ceremonies in Nigeria. Step into the courtyard of an Efik home on the day of a bride’s traditional wedding, and you will see … Read more
The Niger Delta, one of Nigeria’s most vital and historically significant regions, has long been an essential part of West Africa’s trade and economic systems. Spanning several states in southern Nigeria, including Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom, the Niger Delta has been a central point of interaction between African kingdoms and international traders for … Read more
The Kingdom of Calabar, also known as the Efik Kingdom, was one of the most prominent and influential kingdoms in southeastern Nigeria, with a rich history that spans centuries. It flourished from the pre-colonial era to the early colonial period, significantly shaping the cultural, economic, and political landscape of the region. The kingdom, centered around … Read more