Efik literature

[5] The earliest forms of Efik written literature were mainly of biblical genre and were developed by the early missionaries of the Church of Scotland mission.

Among these literary works include Edikot N̄wed Mbuk series, Mutanda oyom Namondo, Ansa Udọ Enan̄, Sidibe and several others.

Efik songs had multiple purposes such as for worship, narrating of past events and mockery of crimes committed in the society.

For example, the diarist Daniel Obiom Amaku records the founding of Okpo in Eniong Abatim in the Efik language.

The earliest known example of a written non-biblical piece can be traced to Rev Hugh Goldie's 1857 book, Principles of Efik Grammar.

A number of bards were also active during this era despite the fast spread of Christianity which was gradually having an adverse effect on saecular literature.

Following the recommendation of the International institute of African Languages in union with the board of Education, Lagos, a new orthography was introduced.

[31] Mr E. A. L. Gaskin, the inspector of schools in Nigeria was sponsored by the Nigerian government to undertake a course in phonetics at the University of London.

The work of the Efik-Ibo translation bureau came to an abrupt end, but a dictionary was still being compiled by members of the defunct board and its first edition would later be published in 1939.

Due to its popularity, Mutanda Oyom Namondo was also converted to drama and has been staged in several parts of the world.

In 1938, at the international institution of African languages literary competition, Amaku's prose titled, Abasi Ekpenyong, won first prize award.

It thematically and synoptically mirrors, exemplifies and/or criticizes the various literary ironies, oddities and/or tragic paradoxes associated with some indigenous society's negative marriage decrees, customs, tradition and anti-social or cultural practices worldwide.

[27] At the pan-African contests organised by an American University in 1963, Edyang's Sidibe won first prize for the Rosamond Gilder award.

[33] It brings to life several myths of the Efik people particularly the belief in Akanga; a vow or promise made by an individual before a deity prior to his birth.

In 1970, at a literary contest held by Oxford University, Amaku's drama, Inyang Abasi Ndem, also won first prize award.

[39] In another play, Uku M'ete Nyin (The Dignity of Our Fathers) written in 1958, he recounts several ancient Efik traditions.

Her poems are a manifestation of her strong personality: she is a devoted lover of her native soil: she takes an interest in her natural environment; she draws her philosophy from it and expresses her appreciation for its beauty and utility.

In her poem Akpa Obio Canaan, she extols the beauty of the Calabar river and describes its value to the Efik people.

[46] Archibong recognises the importance of the river in Efik history as the passage through which commerce and western education gained entry into Old Calabar.

Efiom includes the names of several deities in his poem such as Anansa, Ukon Esuk and Esierebom or Sunko monko who are all considered the guardians of tillage.

[50] Ikọt Ukpa suggests Uyọk should be buried alive; Asikpo Ito refuses to partake in such a decision for fear of reprisal from the deity, Ukọn̄ Esụk.

[50] In the end, the suggestion of Efut Ikọt Ekpe is taken that he should be abandoned at the river bank at Nimba at low tide early in the morning.

[50] Tradition does not reveal if Uyọk is silently carried away or roughly bundled into the boat but when he realises what the Efik clans have done, he invokes the deities, Anansa, Ukọn̄ Esụk and Atakpọ Uruan, against his offenders to deny them the benefits of a ripe old age.

[53] APELAC made great strides in preserving and promoting Efik culture in spite of the association's financial constraints.

[53] In the early years of this era, a committee aimed at reviewing and revisiting the Efik orthography was set up at the request of the council of vice-chancellors of Nigerian Universities.

Uyi Efiọn̄ Esien tells the story of a woman of noble birth described as proud, beautiful, industrious and wealthy.

The absence of courses focused on Efik poetry in educational institutions has also contributed to the demystification of poems and gradually declining interest in the art.

[56][57] Outside the literary genres of prose, poetry and drama, several other contributions have been made to ensure the spread and growth of Efik literature.

A major turning point in this era was the publication of the first Efik-English dictionary by an Efik indigene, Chief Efiong Ukpong Aye.

Engr Ekpe Esien Ita, an elder statesman was born in 1949 and attended the Hope Waddell Training Institution, Calabar.