THE PERFORMANCE PRACTICE OF ESIT IMA CULTURAL GROUP PEOPLE OF OBOT AKARA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF AKWA IBOM STATE
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Abstract
This study focuses on the performance practice of Annag people in Akwa Ibom State, with the primary objective of critically studying the performance of Esit Ima Cultural Group in Obot Akara. The method used for the study is multidimensional – historical, descriptive and analytical approach to assess those basic principles and organization that are common in indigenous performance practice of Esit Ima Cultural Group. Data for the compilation of the study were drawn from both primary and secondary sources and from interviews during fieldwork experience.
The study also examined the extent in which Esit Ima Cultural Group performance has maintain social, cultural and tradition of the society. Through interview and findings, it is realized that although a lot of things has changed. Annang people are still identified by their ancestral lineage, language and homogeneity in culture which include songs, dance, folktales, mode of dressing, food, occupation, marriage pattern, cultural displays and other literary expressions through which they express their personhood.
The group often embark on various performances such as naming ceremony, funeral, marriage, traditional title taking, annual festival ceremony and lots more. The oral interviews with the group members were transcribed and translated into English language for easy accessibility. Some suggestions were as well made for the sustenance of the Annang culture in Obot Akara.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Cultural heritage remains an expression of the ways of living developed by a community and passed on from generation to generation, including customs, practices, places, objects, artistic expressions and values. Cultural heritage implies a shared bond, our belonging to a community. It represents our history and our identity; our bond to the past, to our present, and the future. Cultural heritage is not only limited to material objects that we can see and touch. It also consists of immaterial elements: traditions, oral history, performing arts, social practices, traditional craftsmanship, representations, rituals, knowledge and skills transmitted from generation to generation within a community (Logan, 2007).
The Annang people of Akwa Ibom State like any other African community are vested with rich musical culture transmitted orally by their progenitors to the future generation. Yet some cultural traits retained by various musical groups are almost disappearing without being heard again. The Anaang (also spelled Annang) are a Southern Nigerian ethnic group whose land is primarily within eight (8) of the present thirty one (31) local government areas in Akwa Ibom State: Abak, Essien Udim, Etim Ekpo, Ika, Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara, Oruk Anam, Ukanafun in Akwa Ibom State, and three (3) of the seventeen (17) Local government areas in Abia State: Ugwunagbo, Obi Ngwa, and Ukwa East of Abia State (Udondata & Idem-Agozino, 2001).
They were formerly located in the former Abak and Ikot Ekpene Divisions of the Anaang Province, as well as part of the former Opobo Division of Uyo Province, in the former Eastern Region of Nigeria. The proper name for the Ika of Akwa Ibom is Ika-Annang. Based on 2018 estimates, there are about 4 million Annang speakers in Akwa Ibom, Abia state and over a million speakers living outside these states (Umoh, 2004).
According to oral tradition, the Abiakpo came to the northern range of Anaang from Eka Abiakpo. They were quickly followed by the Ukana clan, the Utu, Ekpu, Ebom and Nyama (the British lumped these groups together and gave them the name Otoro), and other Anaang clans. The Anaang and the entire people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States of Nigeria (Akwa-Cross people) have occupied their land in the coastal Southeastern Nigeria for thousands of years. Anaang society is patriarchal. Individuals locate their place in the social world from the Ilip, literally translated as “womb”.
Thus a brother/sister from the same Ilip means that they can trace their origin to the same mother or father. Those who can so trace their ancestry to the same parents form Ufok (literally a house or compound). Several ufoks make up Ekpuks or extended family and several Ekpuks (extended families) make up “Ilung” (meaning village) and several villages make up the “abie” or clan. This is in many ways similar to the system used by other south eastern Nigerian peoples but more centralized. Leadership at the family, lineage, village, or clan level remains the prerogative of the men, and lineage ties extends to women even after marriage (Ekanem, 2002).
The Anang speak the Annang language and perform a masquerade after the yam harvest to mark the visit of ancestral spirits, or Ekpo. This is also the name of a men’s associations that once had great influence among Ibibio groups. The Anang carve masks with grotesque features, known as “iliok”, which are considered dangerous and may only be viewed by members of the Ekpo. Other mass embodied the spirit or Mfon.
Anaangs value the ability to speak well and oratory ability using proverbs is highly desirable, especially among the leaders. The American anthropologist, Peter Farb, stated that the name “Anaang” among this group means “they who speak well”. An individual who has the gift of eloquent speech is often complimented as Akwo Anaang, meaning the “Man of Anaang members of the Ekpo.
Obot-Akara is in the south south of Nigeria as a Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has her head quarter a Nto Edino. It has a total population of 148,281, with a density of 1,620/sq mi (626/km2). It is inhabited by the Anaangs ethnic group, it shares borders with Ikwuano (Abia State). Music and dance remain the fabric of every social activity of the Anaang people. They also believe in decent living, which is, not engaging in acts that tarnish her image and reputation. This led to the study on the performance practice of Esit Ima Cultural Group people of Obot Akara Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
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