The origin of the term is unclear, although it is attested to in colonial documents from as early as the first decade of the eighteenth century.
William Balfour Baikie explored most of south east Nigeria and parts of cross rivers and Benue States.
In Guadeloupe one theory speaks also of the "Blanc Créole" or "Blan Kréyol", abbreviated to BK, ergo Béké.
[2] The békés represent a small minority in the French Antilles and control much of the local industry.
[4] The 2009 French Caribbean general strikes were to some degree aimed against the class difference that exists between the békés and the predominantly mixed Black and White majority population.