ABSTRACT
Essien Udim people as part of Annang just like the Ibibio migrated from the Bantu area and settled in their present area. Politically, Essien Udim operated the same political structural just as the Ibibio counterpart. Socially, they have the same secret society that pre-dominated in the pre-colonial Ibibio Society. Economically, Essien Udim people are very industrious, engaging in all economical activities and remain upto today the “food basket” of Akwa Ibom State. They also were not backward religiously as a good number of them were traditional religious worshipers. This project used both the Primarily and secondary sources. Primarily, emphasis was placed on oral tradition and eye witnesses account were percipients in various aspects of life of the people were interviewed. The secondary sources depended solely on textbooks from the library. In all, inter disciplinary approach to historical reconstruction was carefully employed.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
National identity is becoming an increasingly important discourse in today globalised world. More important also is the history behind such identity. Inother words, the knowledge of a people’s past can inspire the attainment of future goals.1 The knowledge of the past involved the movement of people from place to place in small or large numbers for variety of reasons which include drought conditions, population explosion, political oppression, the search for better land or new opportunities, outbreak of epidemics involving great loss of lives among others. Also, there were in voluntary or forceful migrations of people, especially during the time of slave trade when needing their services.2
| 1OttoAbasi Akpan (et al), A History of Itam People, Uyo: Ndeco Educational Publishers, 2012, p.1. 2Patience, O. Erim, Notes on Aspects of African History From Earliest Time to the Nineteenth Century, Markurdi: Aboki publishers, 2005, p. 54. 3Oral Interview with Mr. Christopher Bassey at his residence in Ntak Ikot Akpan, Ukana West on 20th October 2018. |
Essien Udim is one of the Annang speaking Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Essien Udim is a bi-phrased name which means “group of people”.3 It was created on the 8th of May, 1989 out of the former Ikot Ekpene division, among the one hundred and forty-nine Local Government Areas, by then Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida and included the following clans in Essien Udim, Ukana, Adiasim, Ikpe Annang, Odoro Ikot, Okono, Afaha and Ekpe-yong Atai.4 It has 138 Gazetted villages with recognized village heads, Clan Head, and a Paramount Ruler. Presently the paramount ruler is His Royal Majesty Obong Cosmas Akpan.
| 4Udo, Utibe Udoh, Essien Udim: People, Place and Wealth, Lagos: Quest Publishing House, 2012, p. 30. 5Oral Interview with Chief John, Essiet, Village Head Ntak Ikot Akpan Ukana-West at his residence on 20th October 2018. |
What is now Essien Udim is derived from the political history of the area. Politically, Essien Udim had its unbroken infirmity from ages gone by. In the past, the homogenous span of land from Umo Essien, Okon, Mkpatak, Ekpeyong to Ukana West and East, Adiasim Afaha and Ikpe Annang were collectively known and addressed as central Annang.5 Before the civil war, the portion described as central Annang with its full autonomy as a council was merged with Ikot Ekpene Urban Otoro county council. Eventually the three(3) district country councils merged and became known as Ikot Ekpene local government area. This arrangement continued up till 1979-1983 when Cross River State House of Assembly created Local Government Council Area. It was during this creation that Okogi panel created Essien Annang and Udim Local Government Area. Udim has its name derived from these clans: Ukana, Adiasim, Ikpe Annang and Ekpenyong /Mkpatak. The name “Essien” was an introduction by agitation committee of what emerged and became known as Central Annang. However, the two local governments functioned simultaneously. Essien Annang had its headquarters at Ukana Iba. There was however no approval from the Federal Government, hence, it was abolished and eventually merged with Ikot Ekepene.By May 8, 1989 the Federal government created 149 Local Government Areas over the country and decided in coined names from the two units Essien Annang and Udim and from that date Essien Udim emanated.6
The Essien Udim people were involved in various socio-cultural, economic and political activities prior to the coming of the Europeans to Nigeria. The people were mainly agrarians. Essien Udim is an Annang speaking land, she is known for fertile soil which yields bountiful harvest and the people are known for their hospitality. Like other African communities, what was operational then was barter system not until the advert of monetary system. The people believed in communal living. Everything was done and shared accordingly by family head but over time, there has been slight changes in administration of duties.
| 6Udondata, J. and Ekanem, J. B., The Annang People of Nigeria: History and Culture, Texes: Altrubooks Pulisher, 2013, p.19. |
The people of Essien Udim are known for their bravery. According to Udondata “the Annang person is a typically dangerous human being”. This description can be easily attributed to Annang nation as captured in this generic assertion “Nnung Ugwod Ekpe”.7
1.2 Statement of the Research Problem
There are few publications available on Annang land as a whole. These works however neglect to a large extent the history of Essien Udim people. Some hasty and casual references of Essien Udim are available mostly on religious history (Catholic Church) which is just an aspect of the history of the people. As a result of this void, it is therefore necessary to examine the history of Essien Udim people. This research therefore seeks to trace and evaluate the origin, change and continuities in the lives of Essien Udim people.
