THE EFIK CULTURAL HERITAGE:THE EKPE CULT

"EKPE" masquerade named from centuries by our ancestors means lion. This relates to strength and supremacy "As lion is the king of all animals" Ekpe dominates other cult groups in Efik society.

HISTORY

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Ekpe cult originated in the seventeen century by uruan people in their settlements. Uruan people are migrants from sub-sahara who settled in "MKPEK" in cameroon before moving down to "AKANOBIO URUAN" in Akwa ibom state,Nigeria.
Myth has it that in their settlements,the brothers had a misunderstanding resulting to their separation with this rich culture called Ekpe. The younger brother moved farther away to a place presently called calabar in cross river state, nigeria while Uruan people still resides in Uruan in Akwa ibom state, Nigeria. That is why the culture and language of the uruanese and the calabarians are the same.
Till today, traditional rulers in calabar are sworn into office by a selected group of uruanese.

INITIATION

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Initiation into this cult is very secretive and remains unknown to non-members.It is believed that even if an initiate tends to become mad,drunk or maybe pressurized by anyone even its own family can never reveal the intiation process of the Ekpe cult. That is why even till date no one knows how the initiation process of the Ekpe is carried out and where. However, rumors has it that it is usually done in the month of August in a thick forest. Unlike other masquerade Ekpe is open for both male and female, young and old. It doesn't discriminate.

SECRECY

As I mentioned earlier, Even it's initiation process isn't yet known, this shows how secret it is. Ekpe masquerade when parading itself in the open must be fully covered and masked completely. People says it's facial look is quite ugly and frightening,it's true but it's harmless and only goes around dancing around gracing itself in Self-acclaimed glory. It is a taboo for a non-member to depict itself as an Ekpe masquerade, if caught the consequence is death. It's also against our culture for anyone to unveil or reveal the true face of an Ekpe masquerade no matter the circumstance, however if done, the person must be initiated into the Ekpe cult after paying a fine because a non-member cannot behold the true face of an Ekpe masquerade.

COMMUNICATION

The Ekpe masquerade usually speaks through a device made from a branch which alters it's voice making it sound unique and strange. During it's outings, the members of the cult usually identify themselves by putting an handkerchief in their front pocket for recognition.
Although it is the only known form of recognition to non-members, It is believed that there are other means of identification of being a member of the cult. The ekpe masquerade communicates in an ancient form of writing known as nsibidi which is only known by it's members.

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FUNCTIONS OF EKPE

The ekpe masquerade being the head or rather governance over other masquerade groups has specific and important roles they play in the society like being king makers, performing administrational duties,law makers, enforcing the laws and order, settling conflicts,punishing defaulters and speaking against wrong vices in the society.
The ekpe masquerade has always been a strong cult in the efik society since it's origination check mating evil vices and maintaining peace and orderliness in our society although with the coming of civilization most of the edicts made by the ekpe masquerade has been ruled out by the constitution thereby weakening our cultural heritage.

EKPE FESTIVAL

The ekpe festival is usually used to mark the end of a planting season and the beginning of a new one.It's usually held in the month of August every year. Unlike other masquerade groups, it is a free for all show to watch.
Tourist and visitors can participate thereby embracing this rich cultural heritage.

CONCLUSION

Although I am limited to the knowledge of this interesting cult group, the little I know about it is very captivating and fascinating.