THE NEIGHBOURS

The people of Akwa Ibom State are culturally homogenous with a common identity and are reputed to be the first settlers in the present day South Eastern Nigeria. The main economic activities of the people are fishing (for riverine and coastal dwellers), farming (mostly for upland dwellers), trading, artisanship and white-collar services. A robust public sector employs significant proportion of the State labour force. Agriculture and fishing play significant roles in the lifestyle of the people of Akwa Ibom State. Many communities engage in farming, cultivating crops such as cassava, yam, plantain, palm produce, cocoa, and rubber. Fishing is also prominent, particularly in coastal areas, providing a source of livelihood and a key ingredient in local cuisine.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The three major dialectal groups are Ibibio, Annang and Oron. Other sub groups include Eket, Ibeno, Itu Mbonuso and the Andonis. English is the language of government and business.

THE LIFESTYLE

Akwa Ibom State is known for its vibrant festivals and celebrations. Festivals such as the Ekpe Festival, Annang New Yam Festival, and Ati Annang Festival are occasions for the community to come together, showcase their cultural heritage, and celebrate with music, dance, traditional attires, and feasting. Cuisine: Akwa Ibom State is renowned for its delicious cuisine, which includes a variety of locally grown crops and seafood. Staple foods such as pounded yam, garri (cassava flakes), fufu, and afang soup are commonly enjoyed. The state's proximity to the coast also influences its cuisine, with seafood dishes like fisherman soup, edikaikong soup, and various fish and seafood delicacies being popular. Hospitality: The people of Akwa Ibom State are known for their warm and welcoming nature. Hospitality is an integral part of their culture, and visitors are often treated with kindness, generosity, and respect. It is common for guests to be offered traditional delicacies and treated as honored visitors.

THE MARKET

Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria is home to various markets that serve as important economic hubs and social centers for the local communities. Here are some popular markets in Akwa Ibom State: Urua Market, Uyo: Located in the heart of Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State, Urua Market is one of the largest and busiest markets in the state. It offers a wide range of products, including foodstuffs, clothing, household items, electronics, and more. Urua Market attracts traders and buyers from within and outside the state. Akpan Andem Market, Uyo: This market is also situated in Uyo and is known for its vibrant trading activities. It specializes in the sale of fresh produce, such as fruits, vegetables, and livestock. Akpan Andem Market is a go-to destination for residents and visitors seeking farm-fresh products. Eket Main Market, Eket: Eket Main Market is a major trading center in Eket, a prominent town in Akwa Ibom State. The market offers a variety of goods, including food items, clothing, household products, and local crafts. It serves as a commercial hub for the local community and surrounding areas. Etaha Itam Market, Itu: Etaha Itam Market is located in Itu, a town known for its agricultural activities. The market specializes in the sale of agricultural produce, such as yam, cassava, palm produce, and other farm products. It attracts traders and buyers involved in agricultural trade. Oron Main Market, Oron: Oron Main Market is a bustling market situated in Oron, a coastal town in Akwa Ibom State. The market is known for its fish and seafood trade, offering a wide variety of fresh catches from the Atlantic Ocean. It is a prominent fish market in the region. Ikot Ekpene Market, Ikot Ekpene: Ikot Ekpene Market is a significant market in the town of Ikot Ekpene. It offers a diverse range of goods, including food items, clothing, household products, and crafts. The market is known for its lively atmosphere and attracts buyers from within and outside the town.

YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH

Special Dances Asian Ubo Ikpa Asian Uboikpa means the proud and flamboyant maiden. This dance is performed by maidens between the age of 18 years and 25 years who have successfully gone through the ‘Mbopo’ institution. Mbopo being the period a girl is confined, fattened and drilled on all aspects of home management in preparation for marriage. It is common in almost all the hinterland of the State. Performed by maidens at their prime, Asian Uboikpa therefore is in its visual appeal and celebrates and affirm the youthful innocence and purity in their beauty, while showcasing the popular admonition among the Akwa Ibom people that chastity once lost is lost forever. Oko Oko is the male dance which is likened to the war dance because of its ferocious displays. The climax of this dance starts when the dancers’ start slashing at one another with razor sharp machetes and firing at themselves with live bullets from Dane guns. But mysteriously, not a drop of blood is shed as the machetes cannot penetrate the skin of the dancers, or the bullets hurt any of the members of what is obviously a secret society. Nkerebe Nkerebe (looking for husband) is another women dance, performed once a year when young girls at the age of puberty prepare to perform the Mboppo nceremony. Asian Mbre Iban Asian Mbre Iban are dances performed by maidens who wish to inform unmarried men of the community how beautiful and eligible they are. Other women dances include Akan, Asamba and Uwok which is performed in the villages occasionally. Ndok Ufok Ebe The Ndok Ufok Ebe (shame of a bad marriage) is another women dance to express their grievances over maltreatment of women by their husbands. The dance is performed once a year. It is accompanied by songs telling the community about their plight, often, it involves going topless to the market place. Ebre There is also the Ebre society women dance performed yearly during harvesting of new yam. During this occasion, women dance to the market place and neighbouring villages. The dance is not only meant to entertain but as well as deliberate protest against what is regarded as male chauvinism, which is reflected in the vulgarity of some of the song texts. Colorful festivals such as the Annang New Yam Festival, Ekpe Festival, and Ati Annang Festival showcase the cultural identity and traditions of the people. Education: Akwa Ibom State is home to several educational institutions, including the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State University, Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, and numerous primary and secondary schools. These institutions contribute to the educational development of the state and offer opportunities for academic advancement.