The Efik are an ethnic group located primarily in southern Nigeria, and western Cameroon. Within Nigeria, the Efik can be found in the present-day Cross River State and Akwa Ibom state. The Efik speak the Efik language which is a member of the Benue–Congo subfamily of the Niger-Congo language group.[5] The Efik refer to themselves as Efik Eburutu, Ifa Ibom, Eburutu and Iboku.[6][7]
The bulk of the Efiks can be found in Calabar and the southern part of Cross River State . Prior to 1905, Old Calabar was a term used to describe the Efik settlements of Duke Town, Creek Town, Old town, Cobham town, Henshaw town, Adiabo and Mbiabo (consisting of Mbiabo edere, Mbiabo Ikot Offiong and Mbiabo Ikoneto).[8] The Efik have also been referred to as "Calabar people" in historical literature. The term "Calabar people" was particularly popular prior to the nineteenth century and was synonymous to the Efik.[6]
Efik society consists of various clans which were originally known as "Esien Efik itiaba" (English: Seven clans of Efik) and later known in the 21st century as "Esien Efik Duopeba" (English: Twelve clans of Efik).[9] The original seven clans are scattered between Cross River state and Akwa Ibom state and consist of Iboku (Duke town, Henshaw town, Creek town and Cobham town), Obutong, Adiabo, Mbiabo (Mbiabo Edere, Mbiabo Ikot Offiong, Mbiabo Ikoneto), Enwang, Usukakpa and Abayen.[10] The last three clans had greatly dwindled in number and many of their members are believed to have been miscegenated into other Efik clans.[10] Ibonda (an Efut clan) has sometimes been appended to Adiabo as one of the seven Efik clans.[10] The bulk of the Enwang and Usukakpa are located in the present-day Akwa Ibom state.
Modern Efik society is a melting pot of people of diverse origin. Due to the rise of Calabar as a commercial centre since the 18th century, Efik settlements experienced a high rate of inward migration consisting of Sierra Leoneans, Lebanese, Cameroonians, Jamaicans and several other communities. Children of Efik maternal descent are still regarded as Efik and have contributed to the development of the Efik society. Due to the volume of cultural exchange, many other ethnic groups have often been regarded as being one with the Efik such as Kiong and Efut.[11]
The Efik were noted for their involvement in the slave trade where they acted as slave traders and middlemen between the inland slave traders and the Europeans. After the decline of the slave trade, the Efik transitioned into the business of exporting palm oil from the Cross river. Other trading items sold by the Efik included rubber, ivory, barwood and redwood.[12] Throughout the centuries, Efik traders traded with the Portuguese, Dutch, English and French.[13]
Etymology
The name "Efik" translates to "Oppressors" and is derived from the Efik-Ibibio verb root "Fik" (English: Oppress). The first letter of the word is correctly written as "Ẹ" and denotes plurality. Several theories have been propounded on the origin of the word. One theory propounded by Okon and Nkpanam Ekereke asserts that the term "Efuk" was a word of defiance and an expression used by the Ibibio man when in a fit of rage.[14] Ekereke and Ekereke further assert that the word was later changed to "Efik".[14] This theory appears to be isolated as other Ibibio writers do not narrate that such terms were used by the Ibibio. Another theory which is narrated by Forde and Jones states that the name "Efik" translates to "Tyrants" or "He who oppresses" and was the name of which the Efik called themselves after they had settled at Creek town.[11]
^Joshua Project – Efik of Nigeria Ethnic People Profile
^"Efik in Nigeria". Joshua Project. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
^"Efik in Cameroon". Joshua Project. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
^"Efik in USA". Joshua Project. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
The Efik are an ethnic group located primarily in southern Nigeria, and western Cameroon. Within Nigeria, the Efik can be found in the present-day Cross...
Efik mythology consists of a collection of myths narrated, sung or written down by the Efikpeople and passed down from generation to generation. Sources...
Efik /ˈɛfɪk/ EF-ik (Usem Efịk) is the indigenous language of the Efikpeople, who are situated in the present-day Cross River state and Akwa Ibom state...
Efik names are names borne by the Efikpeople of Southern Nigeria and Western Cameroon. The naming system of the Efik is unique and differs from contemporary...
Calabar is the traditional ruler and custodian of the culture of the Efikpeople of Western Africa. The Obong is referred to as a natural ruler (because...
the Efikpeople. During the colonial period in Nigeria, the Ibibio Union asked for recognition by the British as a sovereign nation. The Annang, Efik, Ekid...
The Efik religion is based on the traditional beliefs of the Efikpeople of southern Nigeria. The traditional religious beliefs of the Efik are not systemised...
The following is a list of gods and goddesses from Efik mythology. The Supreme God is known as Abasi. He is regarded as the father of all things. In some...
Duke Town, originally known as Atakpa, is an Efik city-state that flourished in the 19th century in what is now southern Nigeria. The City State extended...
State, Nigeria. It was originally named Akwa Akpa, in the Efik language, as the Efikpeople dominated this area. The city is adjacent to the Calabar and...
peoples of southeastern Nigeria and the southwestern Cameroon in the Cross River region. It is also used by neighboring Ibibio, Efik and Igbo peoples...
ancestrally related to the Efikpeople of the Cross River State, the Ibeno and Eastern Obolo (ie Adoni East) in Akwa Ibom, the Andoni people in Rivers State, Ohafia...
Efik literature (Efik: Ñwed ikọ Efịk) is literature spoken or written in the Efik language, particularly by Efikpeople or speakers of the Efik language...
practice among some ethnic groups in Nigeria, predominantly among the Efikpeople. Giving birth to twins was considered a bad omen that could bring devastation...
The Efik calendar (Efik: Ñwed ọfiọñ Efịk) is the traditional calendar system of the Efikpeople located in present-day Nigeria. The calendar consisted...
Scottish Presbyterian missionary to Nigeria. Once in Nigeria, Slessor learned Efik, one of the numerous local languages, then began teaching. Because of her...
the Efikpeople of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The dance's movements are inspired by the waves and motions of the ocean tides, as the Efik are...
for thousands of years. The group is related to the Efikpeople. It is believed that the Anaang people originated from Egypt and began their migration from...
(1968) [1st pub. 1956], "An Ethnographic Sketch of the Efikpeople", in Forde, Daryll (ed.), Efik Traders of Old Calabar, London: Dawsons of Pall Mall OCLC 67514086...
the people moved to other fishing settlements. Portuguese settlers continued to maintain the name Calabari which became surrounded by the Efikpeople of...
(Ghost) is a cultural society art form that originates from the Efik, Ibibio and Annang peoples in the Cross River/Akwa Ibom in Southern Nigeria. The practice...
originates from the Ibibio People of Akwa Ibom in Southern Nigeria. They share this soup with their neighbors the [Efik] people of [Efik Tribe] in Calabar, Cross...
Afang is a vegetable soup which originated with the Efikpeople, Ibibio people and Ananng people in southeast Nigeria. It is prepared with waterleaf,...
fried fish. It is served with frejon on Good Friday. In Nigeria, the Efikpeople use dry garri to thicken light soup like 'egg soup and white soup (also...
eggplant Afang Nigeria A vegetable soup which has its origin from the Efikpeople in the southeast of Nigeria Ahriche Morocco Tripe wrapped around sticks...
Amazonas. In Nigeria, waterleaf is used to make soup, the Ibibio and Efikpeople of South-Southern region of the country use it to make afang soup, they...
Ibom people. The dance requires movement of the leg and the waist. The dance is known across Nigeria and popularly used by the Ibibio and Efikpeople where...
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