Ibibio

They are implanted in the region between the Niger Delta and west of the Cross River, mainly in south-eastern Nigeria, Akwa Ibom State, although some groups are established in Ghana, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. They are farming villages, mainly growing yams and corn. The term “Ibibio“ It has been around since the end of the century XIX or principles of XX and it applies to those peoples who were called by European explorers and early traders as “Agbisherea, Mong or Kwa” and which was thus accepted by the colonial administration. They have two important societies to which their masks belong, the “ekpo” and “idiong” societies. The “ekpo” are masks of disease, of the spirits responsible for disease or deformation. The most important ekpo society exercises judicial functions and deals with political and religious aspects. It is also responsible for the cult of ancestors who are called upon to protect against illness and the initiation of young people. It is also the guarantor of the well-being of the village. In short, they have social control. Idiong secret society is made up of soothsayers. His statues “ekpo” represent his bosses in the form of an ancestor figures, with a long beard and a cone-shaped headdress, which indicates the quality of chief. The chiefs are chosen from among the elders of the most honorable families. MASCARAS MFON Like the OgoniThey have an articulated jaw and represent the spirit that has already reached happiness. MASCARAS IDIOK These masks, on the contrary, represent a spirit tormented by disease.