Duke Town

Last updated

Duke Town
Atakpa
City state
Stanley Founding of Congo Free State 232 Old Calabar Factories near Duke Town.jpg
Picture of Old Calabar Factories from HM Stanley's book "The Congo and the founding of its free state; a story of work and exploration (1885)"
IjawHistory.jpeg
Southern states, including Calabar
Coordinates: 4°57′N8°19′E / 4.950°N 8.317°E / 4.950; 8.317

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 from now Calabar to Bakassi in the east and Oron to the west. Although it is now absorbed into Nigeria, traditional rulers of the state are still recognized. The state occupied what is now the modern city of Calabar.

Contents

Origins and society

Skin covered head dress from the related Ekoi people. British Museum Room 25 Mask Ekoi people 17022019 5015.jpg
Skin covered head dress from the related Ekoi people.

The Efik speak a language that is a subgroup of the Niger–Congo language group. [1] They had become a power on the coast of the Bight of Biafra by the early 18th century, by which time the Duke and Eyamba families were their leaders. They were settled in large, fortified villages along the waterways, in a loose federation with no paramount ruler, living by fishing and farming. The largest settlements were Ikot Itunko, Obutong and Iboku Atapka. In the 19th century, the British renamed these as Creek Town, Old Town and Duke Town. [2]

Religion

The traditional Efik religion considers that Abasi created the universe. One tradition says that Abasi's wife Atai persuaded him to let two of their children, a daughter and son, settle on the earth. They were not allowed to breed, but disobeyed this injunction and became the ancestors of the Efik people. Another version says that Abasi created two people, and did not allow them to breed. When they disobeyed this order, in punishment, Abasi let loose death on the earth. [3]

The religion places importance on paying tribute to the village ancestors, particularly those who achieved high rank, since they can affect the fortunes of the living for good or bad. The earth deity Ala is appeased through the Ogbom ceremony, which makes children plentiful and increases the harvest. [4]

Some Efik belong to the Ekpe secret society. They made detailed wood carvings, masks, and accouterments that are considered complex works of art. Efik sacred ceremonies include drumming and music as important elements. [5]

Slave trade

The coast in this region was named "Calabar" by the Portuguese explorer Diogo Cao. [6] His reason for choosing this name is unknown, since it was not used by the Efik people. [7] The city of Akwa Akpa was founded by Efik families who had left Creek Town, further up the Calabar river, settling on the east bank in a position where they were able to dominate the slave trade with European vessels that anchored in the river. They soon became the most powerful people in the region. [8] Dukes Town is believed to have been founded in about 1650 according to historians Ekei Essien Oku and Efiong U. Aye. [9] Akwa Akpa, also known as Duke Town to the British, became a center of the Atlantic slave trade, where slaves were exchanged for European goods. [10]

Igbo people formed the majority of enslaved Africans which were sold as slaves from Calabar, despite forming a minority among the ethnic groups in the region. [11] From 1725 until 1750, roughly 17,000 enslaved Africans were sold from Calabar to European slave traders; from 1772 to 1775, the number soared to over 62,000. [12] In 1767, six British slave ships arrived in Calabar during a period when Duke Town and Old Town were in the midst of a feud. The leaders of Duke Town made a secret arrangement with the slave traders whereby the leaders of Old Town would be invited onboard their ships to settle the dispute; guarantees of their safety were made. When the leaders of Old Town came aboard the ships, they were seized, with some being kept as slaves while others were handed over to the leaders of Duke Town, who ordered their execution. [6]

Later history

"Duketown Calabar", late 19th century "Duketown Calabar", late 19th century (imp-cswc-GB-237-CSWC47-LS2-009).jpg
"Duketown Calabar", late 19th century

The British outlawed their involvement in the slave trade in 1807, though slave traders from other European nations, such as Spain, continued to buy slaves at Calabar until 1841. In that year, King Eyamba V of Duke Town and King Eyo of Creek Town signed a treaty agreeing to stop their involvement in the slave trade. [6] With the suppression of the slave trade, palm oil and palm kernels became the main exports. [13]

In 1846 a Christian mission was established by the United Presbyterian Church between Duke Town and Henshaw town, with the support of King Eyo. The mission was headed by Rev. Hope Masterton Waddell with support from Hugh Goldie, who wrote an account of Calabar in his 1890 book Calabar and its Mission. [14] That year the chiefs requested British protection for Calabar, but the reply from Lord Palmerston, received in 1848, was that it was not necessary or advisable to grant the request. The British said they would treat the people of Calabar favorably if they would give up their practice of human sacrifice. [15] At the time, it was common for wives and slaves of an important man to be sacrificed upon his death. [6]

On the death of King Eyamba in 1847, it was proposed that King Eyo become sole ruler, which the British favored. However, Duke Town's leaders did not agree, and selected Archibong Duke as the new king. In 1850, both kings agreed to suppress human sacrifice.

British influence continued to grow, as did acceptance of Christianity. [6] The chiefs of Akwa Akpa placed themselves under British protection in 1884. [13] King Archibong III of Calabar Kingdom was crowned in 1878 with a regalia sent directly by Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. [16]

Palaver of Chiefs on board HMS Decoy, at Duke Town, Old Calabar River - The Graphic 1880 West Coast of Africa, Palaver of Chiefs on Board HMS 'Decoy,' at Duke Town, Old Calabar River - The Graphic 1880.jpg
Palaver of Chiefs on board HMS Decoy, at Duke Town, Old Calabar River - The Graphic 1880
Illustration from Calabar and Its Mission (1890) by Hugh Goldie Calabar King Eyos State Canoe.png
Illustration from Calabar and Its Mission (1890) by Hugh Goldie

From 1884 until 1906 Old Calabar was the headquarters of the Niger Coast Protectorate, after which Lagos became the main center. [13] Now called Calabar, the city remained an important port shipping ivory, timber, beeswax, and palm produce until 1916, when the railway terminus was opened at Port Harcourt, 145 km to the west. [17]

Independent rulers

King Duke IX of Calabar in Full Dress (published 1895). King-duke.jpg
King Duke IX of Calabar in Full Dress (published 1895).

Rulers of the city state, and successors in the traditional state, were: [18]

Later Obongs

In 1903 the British made an agreement with the Efik Kings that they would no longer use title of King (Edidem), but instead as titular rulers would have the title Obong of Calabar. [19]

Efik rulers

In December 1970 it was agreed that a single ruler should represent the Efik people, rather than two (one for Creek Town and one for Duke Town), with the ruler alternated between the two communities. [20]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Efik mythology</span> Body of myths and legends of the Efik people

Efik mythology consists of a collection of myths narrated, sung or written down by the Efik people and passed down from generation to generation. Sources of Efik mythology include bardic poetry, art, songs, oral tradition and proverbs. Stories concerning Efik myths include creation myths, supernatural beings, mythical creatures, and warriors. Efik myths were initially told by Efik people and narrated under the moonlight. Myths, legends and historical stories are known in Efik as Mbụk while moonlight plays in Efik are known as Mbre Ọffiọñ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Efik people</span> Ethnic group in West Africa

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. The Efik refer to themselves as Efik Eburutu, Ifa Ibom, Eburutu and Iboku.

Uruan is a Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, south of Nigeria.

EfikEF-ik is the indigenous language of the Efik people, who are situated in the present-day Cross River state and Akwa Ibom state of Nigeria, as well as in the North-West of Cameroon. The Efik language is mutually intelligible with other lower Cross River languages such as Ibibio, Annang, Oro and Ekid but the degree of intelligibility in the case of Oro and Ekid is unidirectional; in other words, speakers of these languages speak and understand Efik but not vice versa. The Efik vocabulary has been enriched and influenced by external contact with the British, Portuguese and other surrounding communities such as Balondo, Oron, Efut, Okoyong, Efiat and Ekoi (Qua).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eyo Honesty II</span> Obong of Creek Town

Eyo Honesty II was the ruler of Creek Town from 1835 until his death on 3 December 1858. Creek Town was part of the Efik city-states of the Old Calabar province in the Bight of Biafra. Eyo was born into the family of Eyo Nsa and Inyang Esien Ekpe. His father Eyo Nsa, alias Willy Eyo Honesty or Eyo Willy Honesty, was one of the prominent figures of the 18th century in Efik maritime history. His mother, Princess Inyang Esien Ekpe, was the daughter of Esien Ekpe Oku.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bassey Eyo Ephraim Adam III</span> Edidem Efik Eburutu

Bassey Adam III was the Obong of Calabar and the Edidem of the Efik kingdom from 27 November 1982 until his death on 14 December 1986. Bassey was born in Calabar, during the reign of his Uncle Obong Adam Ephraim Adam as the Obong of Old Calabar and its dependencies. His father was Etubom Eyo Ephraim Adam, the second son of Ephraim Adam of Etim Efiom royal house of Old Calabar. His mother was Princess Eyoanwan Eyo Edem of Duke royal house of Old Calabar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Ephraim Adam I</span> Obong of Calabar

Adam I was the Obong of Calabar, Nigeria from 1901 until his death on 1 July 1906.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eyo Ephraim Adam</span> Head of Etim Efiom House of Old Calabar

Eyo Ephraim Adam was the head of Etim Efiom royal house of Old Calabar from 1908 until his death on September 28, 1911. His father Ephraim Adam was the founder of the Tete household in Etim Efiom House. His mother Enang Otuk Oyom was equally from Etim Efiom House. He is credited to have aided in the spread of christianity in Akpabuyo, Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Archibong I</span> Obong of Calabar

Archibong I also known as Archibong Duke was the Obong of Calabar from 28 May 1849 to 4 February 1852. Born as Efio-Okoho, he was named after his Great Grandfather Efiom Okoho. His father was Asibong Ekpo and his mother was Obuma. Archibong is the anglicised form of the name Asibong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orok Edem-Odo</span> Obong of Calabar

Orok Edem-Odo also known as Eyamba IX or King Duke IX was the Obong of Calabar from 17 April 1880 to 21 November 1896. His father Edem-Odo Edem Ekpo was the Obong of Calabar from 1854 to 1858. His mother was Ekanem Ama from the Eta Odionka family of Efut Abua, Calabar.

Eyamba V popularly known as Johnny Young by his Liverpool friends and known to the Efik people as Eyamba V, was the Obong of Old Calabar and the fifth Iyamba of Ekpe Efik Iboku. His father was Ekpenyong Offiong Okoho also known as Eyamba III. His mother was Edim Ekpenyong Ekpe Oku, a daughter of Ekpenyong Ekpe Oku also known as Eyamba II.

The Efik religion is based on the traditional beliefs of the Efik people of southern Nigeria. The traditional religious beliefs of the Efik are not systemised into a logical orthodoxy but consists of diverse conceptions such as worship of the supreme God, ancestral veneration, cleansing rituals and funeral rites.

Efik names are names borne by the Efik people of Southern Nigeria and Western Cameroon. The naming system of the Efik is unique and differs from contemporary African names in several ways. The word for name in Efik is Enyiñ and the act of assigning a name to a child is Usio enyiñ.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Efik literature</span> Literature written in the Efik language

Efik literature is literature spoken or written in the Efik language, particularly by Efik people or speakers of the Efik language. Traditional Efik literature can be classified as follows; Ase, Uto, Mbụk, Ñke and Ikwọ. Other aspects of Efik literature include prose and drama (Mbre).

The Efik calendar is the traditional calendar system of the Efik people located in present-day Nigeria. The calendar consisted of 8 days in a week (urua). Each day was dedicated to a god or goddess greatly revered in the Efik religion. It also consisted of festivals many of which were indefinite. Definite festivals were assigned on specific periods during the year while indefinite festivals or ceremonies occurred due to certain social or political circumstances.

Essien Etim Ofiong III also known as Etinyin Essien Etim Offiong was the founder of Essien Town in present-day Calabar. He was a political agent during the early years of the colonial era and was instrumental in the establishment of the Catholic Church at Old Calabar. He was also instrumental to the establishment of Ikot Ishie, whose founder, Obong Ishie Offiong Okoho became a beneficiary of Offiong's land gift among other things.

Eyo Honesty IV popularly known as Father Tom was the ruler of Creek Town from 1862 until his death on 22 March 1865. Creek Town was part of the Efik city-states of the Old Calabar province in the Bight of Biafra. Born into the family of Chief Eyo Nsa, he was known at birth as Efiok. His father Eyo Nsa, alias Willy Eyo Honesty or Eyo Willy Honesty, was one of the prominent figures of the 18th century in Efik maritime history. Efiok was also the elder brother of King Eyo Honesty II.

The Obong of Calabar is the traditional ruler and custodian of the culture of the Efik people of Western Africa. The Obong is referred to as a natural ruler, treaty King, grand patriarch of the Efik Kingdom and later bestowed with the additional title of defender of the Christian faith by a British monarch owing to the Obong's documented efforts in helping the spread of christianity in his domain. The Efik people are dispersed and settled in many parts of south eastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroun but are mostly Centred in Calabar, capital of Cross River State. Calabar which was named by the Portuguese was locally known as Ata Akpa in local Efik language.

Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V is the present the Obong of Calabar and the 78th recognised monarch of the Efik People, he was crowned and officially recognised by the Government of Cross River State on 11 July 2008.

References

  1. ↑ "Obolo". Ethnologue . Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  2. ↑ William H. Taylor (1996). Mission to Educate: A History of the Educational Work of the Scottish Presbyterian Mission in East Nigeria, 1846-1960. BRILL. p. 31ff. ISBN   90-04-10713-4 . Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  3. ↑ Molefi K. Asante, Ama Mazama (2009). Encyclopedia of African religion, Volume 2. SAGE. p. 230. ISBN   978-1-4129-3636-1 . Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  4. ↑ Nicholson, Ernest (2004-01-15), "Theological and religious studies at the founding of the British academy", A Century of Theological and Religious Studies in Britain, 1902-2002, British Academy, retrieved 2023-08-29
  5. ↑ "Eket Information". University of Iowa. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Hugh Goldie (1890). Calabar and Its Mission. Edinburgh: Oliphant, Anderson and Ferrier. ISBN   1-4097-2795-5.
  7. ↑ G. I. Jones (2001). The trading states of the oil rivers: a study of political development in Eastern Nigeria. James Currey Publishers. p. 15ff. ISBN   0-85255-918-6.
  8. ↑ Arthur Glyn Leonard (2009). The Lower Niger and Its Tribes. BiblioBazaar, LLC. pp. 21–22. ISBN   978-1-113-81057-1.
  9. ↑ Sparks, Randy J. (2009-02-28). The Two Princes of Calabar. Harvard University Press. ISBN   978-0-674-04389-3.
  10. ↑ "The Middle Passage". National Great Blacks in Wax Museum. Archived from the original on 2010-10-23. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
  11. ↑ Chambers, Douglas B. (2005). Murder at Montpelier: Igbo Africans in Virginia. Univ. Press of Mississippi. p. 22. ISBN   1-57806-706-5.
  12. ↑ Sparks, Randy J. (2004). The Two Princes of Calabar: An Eighteenth-century Atlantic Odyssey . Harvard University Press. p.  39. ISBN   0-674-01312-3.
  13. 1 2 3 Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Calabar"  . Encyclopædia Britannica . Vol. 4 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 962.
  14. ↑ Gerald H. Anderson (1999). "Goldie, Hugh". Biographical dictionary of Christian missions. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN   0-8028-4680-7 . Retrieved 2010-10-20.
  15. ↑ [Countess Ilchester, ed. The Life and Letters of Lady Sarah Lennox, 1745–1826, London: John Murray, 1901]
  16. ↑ "Coronation of an African King" (PDF). The New York Times. 6 November 1878. Retrieved 2010-10-17.
  17. ↑ "History of Calabar". The African Executive. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
  18. ↑ "Nigeria: Traditional polities". Rulers.Org. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
  19. ↑ TATABONKO OROK EDEM (April 23, 2008). "The Obongship Dispute in Calabar: A Rejoinder". Kwenu.com. Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
  20. 1 2 "Culture & Society". Creek Town (Iboku Esit Edik) Foundation. Archived from the original on 2010-10-30. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
  21. ↑ "Royal Fathers: Their Power, Influence, Relevance..." ThisDay. 2003-08-31. Archived from the original on 2005-11-16. Retrieved 2010-09-02.
  22. ↑ Anietie Akpan (March 3, 2004). "Kingmakers give Henshaw 14 days to abdicate throne". The Guardian. Retrieved 2010-09-02.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.