Igbo and Ibibio Relations

Igbo and Ibibio Relations

The Igbo had established relationships with the tribes of the Cross River area, especially the Ekoid and Ibibio peoples. These relationships encompassed trade, warfare, language, culture, and marriage.

Some instances or evidence of these relationships include:

– The Nsibidi writing system, developed by the Ekoid people, was widely used in Igbo land.

– The Ekpe and Ekpo secret societies, originating from the Efik-Ibibio, existed in parts of Igbo land.

– The famous Arochukwu Ibinukpabi Oracle, known as the “Long juju,” is said to have originally belonged to the Ibibio.

Although closely related and belonging to one linguistic family, the dialectal groups within the Ibibio cluster often consider themselves distinct ethnic groups.

The Igbo, especially those in the Cross River area, share much in common with this cluster.

It’s not surprising that there are similarities and shared words between the Igbo and the Efik-Ibibio, given their centuries of coexistence.

Additionally, some Ibibio words were adopted by Igbo subgroups near the Cross River. In those areas, “Iwa” and “Akpakpa” are used for “Cassava” and “Maize,” respectively.

Moreover, some verbs may have been adopted from Ibibio as well. For instance, the Aro word “inyam(avia),” meaning to trade, could possibly stem from the Ibibio word “nyam,” meaning to “sell.”

In the past, many people from Arochukwu and Abiriba axis spoke and understood Efik.

As the Igbo would greet with “Mma mma nu o!” the Annang of the Ibibio cluster would greet “Mma!, Mma mma de!”

There are also some words shared by the two linguistic groups but having different meanings in both languages.

Due to centuries of coexistence, some Eastern Igbo groups adopted some Ibibio names. Among the Igbo of Aro, Abam, Abiriba, and Ohafia, you could find people with Ibibio names such as Okon, Ekpo, Edidem, Eudoh, Ndem, Ukpong, Inyang, Ukpabi, and Okpan.

Also, some Annang bear Igbo names like Okoro, Nnamoko, Emacha, etc.

Furthermore, the names of these towns in Ebonyi State have meanings in Ibibio language: Unwana, Ikwo, and Effium, meaning Light/bright, song, and Crocodile, respectively.

Though Ibibio is distinct from the Igbo, but share some cultural similarities and are sometimes considered as part of Igbo nation.