the emergence and role of Christian Missionaries in Efik land.
Introduction
The
point at issue in this discourse is the emergence and role of Christian
Missionaries in Efik land. This inquest is about analysing how the early
Christian missionaries came to Efik land and their role in the development of
the area. Accordingly, an attempt shall be made to interrogate into who the
Efik people are. Thereafter, an articulate account of the origin of the people
shall be given after which the emergence of Christianity into the Efik land,
then follow their role and conclusion.
The Efik People
The Efik people are located in the
south-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria. They can be found primarily in two
states; Akwa Ibom and Cross River state, although a minority can be found in
the neighbouring Cameroon[1].
The
Origin of the Efik People
The Efik are an ethnic group settling
along the Cross River estuary and the banks of the Calabar River in Nigeria and
in the western Cameroon vicinity. The history of their origin and settlements
dates back to the fourteenth century A.D, following their migration from Uruan
in the thirteenth century, and to the years that marked their first settlement
at Ikpaene prior to them arriving at Creek Town and the rest of their present
riverine locations. In the antiquity sense of the name, Efik (which derives
from Hebrew word Aphik or Hepik) is synonymous with Old Calabar both names have
been used interchangeably in nearly all historical accounts of the Efik for
over six centuries.
The Efik aboriginals are recorded to have
migrated from Palestine, following the Roman conquest in 63 B.C. and the
resulting revolts against the conquest in the first and second centuries A.D.
drifted through Egypt and the Nile into ancient Nubia and passed through Sudan
into Nigeria in the tenth century A.D to establish the city states of Old
Calabar in the southeastern part of the country. The twelve original clans
sojourned at Ibom in Aro-Chukwu and later left this area finding residency in
such places as Enwang, Eniong, Ito, Ukwa and Eki, where to this day, they are
neigbhors to Umon, Agwagune and Aro-Chukwu; however, those who kept themselves
together in the area covering Uruan, Ikpaene, Creek Town, and Calabar later
constituted themselves into “Essien Efik Itiaba” (the seven Efik Clans)
The first missionaries arrived the City
State at the invitation of Kings Eyo Honesty II and Eyamba V in 1842 and was
the Presbyterian mission led by the Rev. Hope
Masterton Waddel, followed by the Catholic Mission which was invited by
Prince Essien Etim Ofiong in 1903 and the subsequent arrival and establishment
of other religious denominations such as: Church Missionary Society(CMS) by
Rev. Samuel Ajayi Crowther in July 1857 and also took it Ikot abasi in 1902, Pastor Samuel Alexander Bill brought
the Qua Iboe Mission to Ibeno in 1887 and then the Methodist mission in Oron in
1893 and the Lutherans Mission in 1935. The Presbyterian Church established in
Creek Town in 1850 remains the oldest house of worship in the history of Nigeria’s
Christendom. In fact, the coronation of the Efik King Archibong III (Edem
Asibong Ekpo Okoho Efiom Ekpo) on september 6, 1878 marked the very first royal
church corornation in Nigeria’ and west Africa religious histories. The relationship of this early missionaries became
much complex when Christian evangelism joined hands with European commercial
and colonial enterprise. These three coordinated aspects of the Europeans, the
missionaries, traders and colonial masters largely shaped the making of modern
Calabar in particular and Nigeria in general.
The
roles of Christian Missionaries in Efik land
One of the most effective
tools of evangelization used by the Christian missionaries is Western
education. The early Christian missionaries
established schools and teachers training college to trained pupils that were
available for learning. One of the first schools established here in Efik land
was Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar in 1895[2].
Though the school was the most expensive as at time, there was a huge influx of
pupils who had the zeal to learn. In 1919 the school had 31 ibibio pupils
compared to 82 efik. By 1927 there were over 50 ibibio pupils and by 1931 86
ibibio with 199 Efik. But the students came to the school from all over West
Africa countries. Etinan institute
was established in 1915 by Qua Iboe Mission.
The early
missionaries introduce western religion to efik land,
which was different from our traditional way of worship. The missionaries to
arrive the shores of Efik land were the
Presbyterian mission which was led by the Rev.
Hope Masterton Waddel, and then followed by the Catholic Mission.
The early missionaries established and
built hospitals and also provide profitless medical services to the local
people of the area. The catholic mission established St Luke’s hospital Anua,
Emmanuel hospital Eket established by the Presbyterian mission, Mary Slessor
Hospital, Itu and Methodist Hospital Ituk Mbang.
Provision of social amenities by early
missionaries, the early missionaries provided social amenities to the local
people. Such amenities are the primary health care, drilling of boreholes and
house to house visitation.
The early Christians missionaries play a
role in abolishing our old religion and worshiping of deity. The highest deity of
Efik is Atakpo. It is revered and invoked by the Nsomm in council or by “oku”
under instruction of Nsomm in council. The day to day cleaning of Atakpo
vicicinity of the deity and conveyance of messages from “Obio Atakpo” to Nsomm
in council was the responsibility of the “Isu Atakpo.” (an
indentured servant). His loyalty was to the Atakpo and the Nkpisong[3].
The western culture was introduced to the people of efik land
with the emergence of the Christian missionaries. This include act of writing, eating,
dressing and so on, even their delicacies was also introduced.
Conclusion.
Christian missionaries featured
prominently in the series of events that led to the development of Efik land,
and were able to bring about certain political, economic and technological
changes in the region. Their activities helped to break down ethnic prejudices
and to bring their converts in loyalty transcending ethnic ties. Patriotic Efik
people came to believe that by practicing Christianity they were paving the way
for a great Efik nation. The missionaries also gave ever increasing number of
Efik people adherents a powerful weapon through the provision of western
education. Within the mission stations education was the main instrument used
for establishing and maintaining the new values.
[1] https://answersafrica.com/efik-tribe-nigeria-interesting-facts.html
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope_Waddell_Training_Institution
[3] A brief History of the Efik
by Onyom kpong, Ph. D
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