Due to the rise of Calabar as a commercial centre since the 18th century, Efik settlements experienced a high rate of inward migration consisting of Sierra Leoneans, Lebanese, Cameroonians, Jamaicans and several other communities.

After the decline of the slave trade, the Efik transitioned into the business of exporting palm oil from the Cross river.

[13] The name "Efik" translates to "Oppressors" and is derived from the Efik-Ibibio verb root "Fik" (English: Oppress).

One theory propounded by Okon and Nkpanam Ekereke asserts that the term "Efuk" was a word of defiance and an expression used by the Ibibio man when in a fit of rage.

[16] The gradual movement of the Proto Efik to the Cross River Region may have been associated with the expansion of Sahel agriculture in the African Neolithic period, following the desiccation of the Sahara in c. 3500 BCE.

Prior to Akak, the theory was proposed at the Hart's enquiry by Chief Offiong Abasi Ntiero Effiwatt and Etubom Ededem Ekpenyong Oku.

[27][28] Prior to the inception of the transatlantic slave trade, the Efik had undertaken a series of migrations before they reached the coasts of Old Calabar.

[citation needed] Oral tradition has it that the Efik arrived in Uruan in four groups i.e. Iboku, Enwang, Usukakpa and Abayen.

[32][33] Etubom Ededem Ekpenyong Oku asserts that the Uruan accused the Efik of wizardry and of being responsible for the frequent seizure of their children by crocodiles.

[38] According to Aye, "Ikpa Ene could not carry the bulk of Iboku population;, Ndodoghi had to accommodate what spilt over, and the two settlements, still under one rule, were separated by the left branch of the river which became their "inland sea".

[39] The items believed to have been taken include Ikpaya (woven raffia robe), Akata (throne) and Ayang (Broom).

[21] Oku attests that it was the attack on the Efik that made them decide to leave Ikpa Ene, as they realised they were still too close to their enemies.

[42] Due to the number of unfortunate incidents at Ikpa Ene and Ndodoghi, the Efik sought to leave these islands.

One account narrates that the Mbiabo group left first, settling in their present location while the Iboku, Enwang and other clans were still at Ndodoghi.

[8] The largest group moved to Creek town from Ndodoghi, led by the priest-king Eyo Ema Atai.

[47] Internal dissensions and population expansion led to the movement of several families from Creek Town to Obutong, Atakpa, Nsidung and Ekoretonko.

[60] Antera Duke also known as Ntiero Edem Efiom was an Efik trader whose diary reveals several daily activities in Old Calabar between 1785 and 1788.

Hope Waddell in 1863, Foreign commerce soon brought Calabar affairs into such a state, that the want of a bond of union among the different families, and of a supreme authority to enforce peace and order between equals and rivals, became apparent; and the Egbo institution was adopted.

[63] These papers were signed by the reigning monarchs of Creek town and Duke town who were Eyo Honesty II and Eyamba V.[63] King Eyamba and King Eyo had written letters to the British requesting that they bring in teachers to teach them trade and commerce and missionaries to aid them to know more about God.

[63] One of such letters written by King Eyamba V and the chiefs of Old Calabar states: Now we settle treaty for not sell slave, I must tell you something, I want your Queen to do for we.

Long time we no look Man-of-War as Blount promise one Frenchman come make plenty palaver for slave when we can't get them.

[54] The breach of agreement to halt such practices was punished by blowing Ekpe on Obutong and forbidding funeral rites of the chief until the murderers were brought to justice.

[54] The missionaries respected the native law but the European Captains acted rashly and desired that an example be set on Obutong.

The Efik language also borrows words from other ethnic groups such as Balondo, Oron, Efut, Okoyong, Efiat and Ekoi (Qua).

[71] The Ekpe spirit cannot be seen by the uninitiated and is represented by Idem Iquo, a masquerade dressed in Esịk, a multi-coloured costume decorated with other traditional accoutrements.

Aye, Originally Ekpe Fraternity was for religious purposes, but as the Calabar community became complicated owing to the new wealth which the early trade with Europeans brought, it was quickly adapted to fulfil other economic and civil functions.

It proved to be the source of supreme authority in all Efik towns, and its institutions provided, in the past, the highest court whose verdicts transcended all else.

Among these included Yams, Fufu and an unidentified type of black soup frequently mentioned in 19th century Old Calabar literature.

[75] The Efik native cow (English: Enañ Efịk) was regarded with some amount of reverence and was mainly killed on rare occasions such as the festival for the installation of a new priest king.

[78] Ufọfọp (native gin) is distilled from palm wine and is sometimes mixed with the bark of Edat to increase the alcoholic content.