[6] In the 15th century, the early European traders noted that they alone of the delta people refused to trade on credit.

She opposed war and bloodshed, and the Kalabari later claimed she was the sister of the British goddess Brittana, who ruled the seas.

This happened some time before 1699, since James Barbot records giving presents to Duke Monmouth of Kalabari in that year.

[6] The Kalabari brought their goods down to Elem Ifoko, at the mouth of the New Calabar river, but refused to go the seven more miles to Bonny for the convenience of the European traders.

[6] Trade involved the acquisition of slaves, ivory and palm oil, for which cotton clothing, hardware, guns and gunpowder were given in exchange.

[6] When Jubo Jubogha ("Ja-Ja") moved from Bonny in 1869 and established the separate state of Opobo, he became an ally of Kalabari.

Soon after, the remaining faction, consisting mostly of the Amachree group, also evacuated Elem Kalabari, moving to Abonnema in 1882 and to Buguma in 1884, both further inland.

The government of Kalabari had now become a council of powerful chiefs and royal princes headed and overseen by the King.