Ekpo Society

Ekpo (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 was also adopted by neighboring regions, namely Arochukwu and Ohafia (Abia state) during the expansion of the Aro-Kingdom.^[1][2][3]

Ekpo Society

Ekpo
Regions with significant populations
Ibibio people, Efik people, Igbo people

History

As early as 1710, the traveler and scholar, Schellgrove, as cited by Lruzinger reportedly observed the prevalence of Ekpo in the entire area of what is now known as Akwa Ibom State. Ekpo means spirit. Thus Ekpo masquerade means spirit masquerade. It was the need of pervading Ekpo masquerade that stimulated design and production of the legendary masks in Annang land.

Annang masks could be grouped into two major classes namely the "grotesque" and "beautiful". Grotesque masks from the beginning were worn by dangerous ancestral spirit masquerades. Beautiful masks, on the other hand, were mostly worn by young preteenage boys and were regarded as fertility masquerade.

At Christmas and during traditional festivals, this spirit masquerade usually moves around the village from compound to compound bestowing blessings of fertility on women folk who in turn, off gifts to the masquerade. This type of masks could be worn by clowns and slit dancers too. Beautiful masks are characteristically made to look simple. it is often painted with white clay and other light earth colours. The facial features retain a close semblance to the human face.

Grotesque masks are designed to have spirit and pious countenance capable of putting fear in the spectator. Their macabre nature usually is a result of attachments of human and animal skull, horns, miniature coffins and sacrificial matter. Some of the grotesque masks usually bear the "Idiong ring" (Akpun Idiong) on the head. A double ring indicates membership of the highest rank of the Idiong divination cult. Generally grotesque masks portray animal and human imagery, notably-flapping jaws, bulging eyes, the disease gangosa and aggressive countenance. Their appearance are usually marked with ancestral ceremonies and secret cult festivities. They include Eka "Ekpo", Nkubia, Udo Etok inua, Akpan Ekpo etc.

In Akwa Ibom, the Ekpo masquerade is practiced by almost all its towns, especially during its festivals at Ikot Ekpene, Etim Ekpo, Oruk Anam and Abak as well as the Eket and some other places in the Ibibio land.^[4]

In the 21st century

Ekpo Masquerade face

Owing to the advent of Christianity and modern civilization, the Ekpo masquerade is no longer regarded as dead souls that come back to the land of the living; instead, it is now known to be costumes worn by living humans and is regarded as an integral part of the culture and heritage of the people.^[5]

See also

• Ekpo Nka-Owo