Ekoi People

- Where our people come from and the regions they currently live

We are the Ekoi people of Cross River State, Nigeria. We reside in the southeastern region of Nigeria (extending into the western and northern Cameroon). Ekoi spoken languages include Atam, Boki, Bekwara, Etung, Ikom/Olulumo, Ofutop, Mbembe, Nde, Ufia, and Yako. Ekoi people are related to the Efik, Annang, and Ibibio people of Southeastern Nigeria and have lived closely with them and also claim to have migrated from Cameroon's to their area. The inhabitants of Kwa, located near Calabar, claim to be the first Ekoi people to have migrated from Cameroon. The Ekoi are best known for their Ekpe headdresses.

Nsibidi

- The graphic communication which is now indigenous to Ekoi People

One of Ekoi’s major contributions to civilization is Nsibidi. It is an ancient system of graphic communication indigenous to the Ekoi people of southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon in the Cross River region. It is also used by neighboring Ibibio, Efik, and Igbo people. Aesthetically compelling and encoded, nsibidi does not correspond to any one spoken language. It is an ideographic script whose symbols refer to abstract concepts, actions or things and whose use facilitates communication among peoples speaking different languages. Nsibidi comprises nearly a thousand symbols that can be drawn in the air (as gestures), on the ground, on skin (as tattoos), on houses and on art forms, such as masks and textiles. Though it is enjoyed as an artistic practice by the general public, deeper knowledge of the nsibidi symbols is restricted to members of Ekpe Society, which once controlled trade and maintained social and political order. On ritual occasions, members create a dramatic presence with nsibidi-laden ukara cloth. An abundance of signs (leopards, lizards, drums, staffs, geometric and organic shapes) cover the surface of the cloths that each member ties around his waist to form a long skirt.

Ekoi Culture

- The townspeople and festivities

Ekoi towns are ruled by councils of elders, but townspeople are free to attend meetings. Native courts that were instituted under the British administration provide an appeals system outside of the decision-making by the elders. Representatives from various towns sit on the courts. Traditional festivals relating to farming activities are observed in Yala, Yarkurr, Obubra, Wont, Ogoja, Obudu, Obanliku, and Boki Local Government areas. These festivals are observed annually to celebrate the rich harvest of the season.

Our goal is to provide a voice to all the Ekoi people residing in North America in the key areas of economic and political empowerment and peaceful co-existence with other members.

We want to develop and maintain communication links with members, relatives, and friends in Nigeria
We want to provide resources for the activities of the organization through
We will direct contributions by the members and special fundraising efforts as may be authorized
We want to influence policies that may affect the Ekoi in North America and/or the Cross River State of Nigeria
We will engage in any lawful activities for which a corporation may be organized under a Non-Profit Corporation Code
We cooperate with other Ekoi affiliates in the execution of programs that benefit the Ekoi people within the affiliated groups and in the Cross River State of Nigeria