CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The Pre-Colonial history of African societies has been one with rapid growth and changes irrespective of the surrounding conditions, challenges, and especially the later intrusion of Western culture and Islamic influence. The continent like other continents in the world has witnessed human development and cultural differentiations since the beginning of known history. Not until recently, the history of the great continent, existence of its diverse cultural patterns and the potential of the people have been subjected to distortion owing to the arrogant scripting of the European intellectual community. Before the advent of the twentieth century, the myth that “Africans are people without a history”, dominated the historiography of the Europeans, and this set of conception is erroneous because, Europeans who visited West Africa were not competent and reported nothing than the contemporary state of societies which they encountered.
These identified circumstances generally were seen in every African society and that of the Adiasim Clan is not exempted. It should be on the record that several scholars have made attempts to document the general history of Annang land, its people, culture and traditions with little or nothing specifically on the Adiasim clan. Though, in practical terms, the general Annangs share things in common with similar application.
The Adiasim clan is in today’s Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria and was formerly a part of the British West Africa Southern protectorate and after independence, a part of the Eastern region and later was a part of the South-Eastern state. The people of this area are stock of Annang land in general. Also, they speak and understand the language which is Annang.
The identifiable characteristics, qualities, traits and modes of behaviour exhibited by a typical Annang person (an Adiasim person inclusive) are what stand him/her out. The Socio-Economic institutions as well as religious and cultural beliefs served as a major source of uniting the people. The spirit of communality held them bound. The Annang speak Annang language, and have a lot in common with the Efik and Ibibio…especially with regards to the social structure, belief concept etc1. Many scholars have traced the migration of the Annang to the Zulu and Bantu tribe.
However, the Annangs having similar socio-economic structure and belief system are seen in different location yet the application to things they share are the same signifying a common ancestral origin. As a matter of fact, this work pays more attention to Adiasim Clan with its 12 different communities to wit; Adiasim Ikot Essien Ndot, Adiasim Ikot Ata Enin, Adiasim Ikot Eda, Adiasim Ikot Ono, Adiasim Ikot Udo, Adiasim Ikot Udo, Adiasim Ikot Mmud, Ikot Ukpong, Nsasak, Adiasim Atai, in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State than any other. This is not to disclaim that this research does not discuss its particularity to Pan-Annang application.
This research is organized in such a way that captures almost all aspects of the area including the impacts of the socio-economic, traditional political, religious and belief system on the people of the area in time perspective. My aim primarily was to produce a well researched work as possible, but due to human limitation and mistakes which are mine and mine alone, I failed to reach the standard in the actual execution of my aim. I therefore hope that my effort and contribution to document the Socio-economic history of Adiasim Clan in Pre-Colonial era will assist other Annang to produce a better work.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
History has that by 7000AD many groups had established their presence in the Niger Delta region. Among these groups were the Annangs (Adiasim clan inclusive) who had already settled in their present location in today’s Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria on the West Coast of African sub region. They have distinct characteristics from every other group.
Regrettably, there has been a lot of scholarly works and documentation in regards to the general socio-economic activities of Annang land in the pre-colonial era and there has been total lack of detailed and scholarly documented history of the socio-economic history of Adiasim clan in pre-colonial era. This disagreement therefore gives room to venture into study which seeks to make investigation in the socio-economic history of the people of Adiasim clan in pre-colonial era.
However, in the course of this research, there were a number of problems encountered in the process as a result of complexities experienced. The problem of taking systematic steps in the course of sourcing, gathering and collection of data for this research are considered. The challenges encountered varied from the fixing of an appointment time for interviews and consultations with some elders and well informed people of the clan.
1.3 Aim and Objectives
Specifically, the aim of this research as my final project for a degree in History and International Studies is to provide a baseline documentation of the socio-economic History of Adiasim Clan in pre-colonial era. This research aims at ensuring that, the socio-economic History of Adiasim Clan in pre-colonial era in present day Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State is articulated, well written down and documented for historical purpose. Thus, ensuring that, previous information available as regards the socio-economic History of the Clan corresponded with the basic and vital information as contained in this research. It examines the various activities, and development of the Clan in time perspective.
The main objectives of this research, therefore, seek to assess the economic and social institutions and its development, impacts on the Clan, people as well as indigenous technology in Adiasim Clan. All of these are brought to bear considering the era in question. However, the product of this pain taken research seeks to compile facts in such manner for further research and personal study for understanding.
1.4 Significance of Study
The significance of this research is paramount on the relevance and knowledge of the Socio-economic History of Adiasim Clan in Pre-colonial era. This research becomes important as it is believed by the researcher that, intending and future researchers would have access to relevant, well articulated, and documented information on the Socio-economic History of Adiasim Clan, its impacts and development.
Indeed, the relevance of this research can be seen in the different activities and practices of the people of Adiasim Clan in Pre-colonial era. It is a common ground which is held that, the people of the Clan were agrarians and agriculture, basketry etc. became the major occupation of the people. Also, land was in abundance for cultivation of various agricultural varieties of crops. Vast land areas in parts of communities in the Clan are fertile for cultivation.
Depending on what the Euro-centric scholars would defined to be literacy, which most of the times is equated to the ability to read and write, the people of Adiasim Clan were not completely ignorant nor were they illiterate but had some level of coordination and were literate in line with the local traditions and the Annang culture which over time had been passed through oral history and oral tradition from one generation to the other.
Also, it must be added that, the people of Adiasim Clan as a result of their distinguished endeavours also traded with other nearby and distant communities. Though, there were no advanced and improved mode of transportation system as seen in our societies today, they had to travel both short and long distances, trekking.
1.5 Scope and Limitations
On the whole, this research seeks to establish that, the actual outcome of this historical piece on the Socio-economic History of Adiasim Clan in Pre-colonial era is suitable and convey relevant and well researched information, intellectually articulated, written and documented for further research to improve upon the available in light of fostering continued and sustainable development of the Clan and its communities. This requires pains taking research adventure coupled with positive attitude, and effort to obtain accurate information from primary and secondary sources.
In that regard, the manner of articulation, writing and documenting basic information of the research presents quality evidence on a number of essential factors. One of the basic factors covers the history of the Clan. It must be added that, lack of time and adequate funds limits the researcher from reaching as many important locations, people and materials as regards the subject matter. Also non availability of more and relevant information on the Socio-economic history of Adiasim Clan limited and created a border line in which the researcher could explore.
1.6 Research Methodology
Venturing into a research of any sort is mean endeavour and should be taken seriously to achieve its purpose. It requires attention and quality time. Thus, the Socio-economic History of Adiasim Clan in Pre-colonial era is not only a very challenging one but also interesting getting to know more of the History, people, area and era.
To realize the wide-ranging terms of reference, it requires extensive reading, and dependence on the primary and secondary sources of materials. The source of information in this work is library based and in-depth personal interviews; as well as the use of indigenous knowledge based on being an indigene of the Clan and experience as a student and an undergraduate of History and International Studies. The use of camera phone and a recorder were employed where necessary to capture important images and record information from respondents.
