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Concept
Ekoi people
Summary
Ekoi people, also known as Ejagham, are an ethnic group in southeastern Nigeria and extending eastward into the southwest region of Cameroon. They speak the Ejagham language. Other Ekoi languages are spoken by related groups, including the Etung, some groups in Ikom (such as Ofutop, Akparabong and Nde), some groups in Ogoja (Ishibori and Bansarra), Ufia, and Yakö. The Ekoi have lived closely with the nearby Efik, Annang, Ibibio, and Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. The Ekoi are best known for their Ekpe headdresses and the Nsibidi text. The Ejagham are the original creators of the Nsibidi ideograms and still use them as a part of tradition.
The Ekoi in Nigeria are found in Cross River State. The Ekoid languages are spoken around this area, although English (the national language) is also spoken. The Ejaham are spread out living in multiple villages called etek. Seeing a number of coconut trees or a mboma tree at the entrance or center of a village is an indication that you have entered Ejaham territory. In order to have easy access to a reliable source of water, all villages are built by a river or stream. It was conveient for people to live in the Cross River area, as they were used as main roads and journeys for trade routes
Ekoid languages
The Ekoi language is one of the Ekoid languages, a Bantoid language in the Niger–Congo dialect cluster. They are the creators of the Nsibidi script, a script which can be seen in many surviving artifacts found in the areas inhabited by the Ekoi/Ejagham people, and which roughly translates into “cruel letters.” It is an entirely African script, with virtually no Western influence. According to Ekoi folklore, the script was taught to them by mermaids.
Nsibidi ideograms convey countless concepts. There are over 12 different symbols for love, 7 different symbols for hatred, 7 different symbols for speech, 8 different symbols for mirror, 14 different symbols for a set table, and 6 different symbols for journeys. Symbols that are shaded in usually mean danger or bad fortune, and include ideas of a dead body or the death of a friend.
Official source
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