SEC-S16-W1 | Cultural Traditions

Ekpe and Ekpo are noticeable parts of our political system these two use masks to gain social control, and their body parts play an important role in Ibibio art.

Traditionally Ibibio People are made up of large families with blood affinity. Each family known as Ekpuk is ruled by our constitutional and religious head known as Mbong Ekpuk (head of families) and obong Ikpaisong. These two rules hand in hand with one another, together with the head of cults in Afe (traditional council, court or shrine). The decisions of Mbong Ekpuk and Ikpaisong (Traditional Heads) are usually enforced by the members of Ekpo (masquerade) they act as messengers of the spirits and the police of Ibibios. The Obong (chief) normally send the masked people to confront a breaker of rule if need be.

Ekpo Masquerade is always scary because its members normally mask themselves when they perform their policing duties, people may know this individual's identity but they won't mention it out of fear of retribution from the ancestors. All Ibibio males who wish can become members of the Ekpo cult, the sole purpose of Ekpo is to protect the community and act as a defence against any political attacks.

What Dates Is It Celebrated? In Which Places They Are Carried Out.

In June through December, you will find Ekpo (Masquerade) on the road, in the past many activities such as fetching water in the stream, shopping in the market and farming were prohibited on the days which Ekpo are out and perform. Crimes carried heavier punishment then, for example, if a person was caught stealing during Ekpo season, he/she would be killed by Ekpo. it's a secret society, they have their secret series of code words and dancing steps too which only her members master.

As time went on children, youth and brave elderly women joined this society, it gained popularity and wide acceptability because of its strong and enticing traditional musical prowess and they executed their mandate openly with musical procession.

You can spot the ugly mask of the Ekpo, with its articulated jaw, it's one of the greatest artworks in Ibibio society, the face is distorted, they have both dark and light masks for Males and females, and the dark colour is for men signifying Mystic forces of the forest, while the white and light colours are for female to emphasize their femininity. The masks have many features and are willfully made to be ugly, they do this by distorting the features in unnatural ways such as misplaced mouths or bulging eyes.

The masks have so many deformities, for example, one which depicted human illnesses and diseases is gangosa, baldness signs and walking sticks to portray karma and old age. Men's costumes are made from raffia and seed pod rattles while female costumes are made of coloured materials to represent the order of living in the community. They normally paint their hands and legs with charcoal.

Have You Ever Participated In The Organization Of Those Traditions? You Identify With That Celebration Or You Don't Like It.

Nope, I don't because Ekpo is a secret cult and I'm a Christian, I believe in the Almighty God who's the creator of the entire universe, he is my God and protector and I also believe in his son Jesus Christ, I don't identify with the celebration because I believe it's spiritism, and I don't like it, they used to perform a lot of ritual and sacrifices.

Are These Traditions Used To Enhance The Values Of Citizenship and Are These Traditions Used To Promote Tourism?

Well, to some extent because it deters community members from stealing, and people fear instant punishment than God. Yes, this tradition is used to promote tourism in our community because during their season people used to travel down here to witness their different activities which included musical processions and dancing steps.

Culture is said to be people's way of life, and Ibibios identify with Ekpo. Hi, @eliany @heriadi and @irawandedy join this contest.