As a travel journalist, I am always seeking new destinations to explore, particularly those that
offer an immersive experience of the local culture. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the
charming town of Oron, located in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. What immediately struck me
about this town was its beautiful and well-maintained roads, which are a rarity in many
Nigerian towns.
However, I did notice that the town experiences some issues with electricity
supply, which is a common problem in Nigeria. During my stay, I lodged at the AKOS hotel,
which, like many other hotels in the town, relies on a generator for power.
Despite this minor inconvenience, my stay in Oron was a truly enriching experience. One of
the highlight of my visit was the Oron Museum, which houses an impressive collection of
artifacts that offer a glimpse into the history of the Oron people.
Discovering the Oron Museum
Located just a five-minute bike ride away from the AKOS hotel, the Oron Museum is a
treasure trove of historical artifacts that recount the rich history of the Oron people. As soon
as I entered the museum's compound, I was struck by the beauty of the gate, which features
intricate designs that reflect the local artistic traditions.
The museum's curators, two friendly women, welcomed us and gave us a brief introduction
to the museum’s history and collections.
The Oron Museum was first opened to the public in 1959 and is home to over 800 ancestral
figures of carvings that have been entrusted to the museum by the Oron people. However,
during the Nigerian civil war, the museum was destroyed, and many of the wooden
sculptures were lost or stolen. After the war, the Department of Antiquities was able to
recover only a little over a hundred of these revered figures.
The museum’s collection also includes pictures of Nigeria’s great leaders and the
contributions they made to the country, as well as pictures of white men who played a role in
Nigeria's history. However, it was the wooden sculptures that captured my attention, as they
offer a unique insight into the Oron people's belief system and cultural practices.
Inside the museum, we also saw some ancient carvings that were used in traditional
religious practices. One of them was the "ndem" carving, which is a piece of art representing
the “Ekpe” society. The Ekpe society is a secret society that was very prominent in the past,
and it was only open to men. The Ekpe society had many functions, such as mediating
disputes, administering justice, and preserving the customs and traditions of the Oron
people.
The “ndem” carving is used in the Ekpe society to represent the voice of the ancestors. It is
a long wooden carving with a human face at the top, and it is adorned with various symbols
and decorations. The “ndem” carving is very powerful and is used to communicate with the
ancestors during important ceremonies.
Uncovering the History of the Oron People
The Oron people have a rich cultural heritage, and their belief system is reflected in the
wooden sculptures that are on display in the museum. For instance, when a man died in the
Oron area, a wooden image was carved in his honor, which was then placed in a special
building called the OBIO. This building belonged either to the deceased’s lineage group or to
the EKPE society, which was believed to represent the spirit of the dead man, who had
become an ancestor.
According to the Oron people’s religious beliefs, the ancestors were active in the lives of the
living and could be approached through the EKPU shrine to bring fertility to their women and
farms and banish epidemics. As a result, sacrifices of food and drink were made to the
wooden sculptures twice a year.
Oron Ancestral Masks
The Oron people are known for their intricate and beautiful masks. These masks are used in
various ceremonies and rituals, such as funerals, weddings, and harvest festivals. The
masks are made from a variety of materials, including wood, cloth, and beads. Each mask
has its own unique design and symbolism, and they are often used to tell stories or convey
important messages.
The Oron ancestral masks are some of the most beautiful and impressive masks in Nigeria.
They are made from wood and are adorned with intricate carvings and decorations. Each
mask represents a specific ancestor, and they are used to communicate with the ancestors
during important ceremonies and rituals.
Ekpo Masquerade
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Oron people's culture is the Ekpo Masquerade,
which is the most traditional of all Ibibio secret societies. The Ibibio people are said to have
possessed this ancestral cult, and it is believed that when a man dies, his soul transmigrates
to the underworld. Once a year, between August and November, the ancestors return to the
world of the living to visit their kinsmen and EKPO members. They may also appear during
certain rites connected with the farming cycle. It is said that the Ibibio have possessed this
ancestral cult.
As I delved deeper into the topic, I learned that the two most powerful and dangerous
masquerades in this secret society are AKPAN (first son) and EKA (mother). The masks
used by them are carved out of NKOBIA wood, which is a magical wood that causes the
wearer to become possessed by EKPO. The AKPAN and EKA masquerade can be
restrained by an unmasked member holding the end of the rope to prevent them from hurting
people around them.
The EKPO secret society is deeply rooted in the traditions and beliefs of the Ibibio people,
and it is fascinating to see how their culture has been preserved through generations. It is a
reminder of the importance of keeping our cultural heritage alive, and I feel privileged to
have learned about it firsthand.
Crossing River Skin – Covered Masks
As we continued exploring the museum, we also came across the “Crossing River Skin-
Covered Masks” are made from wood and covered with animal skin, usually from
antelopes or deer. I was introduced to the unique world of skin-covered masks, and highly prized
artifacts created by the Ejagham forest people. These masks, typically made of wood and
animal skin, are used in funeral ceremonies and come in two types: cap masks and skin-
covered masks.
Obassi Njom
One of the most intriguing of these masks is the Obassi Njom, which means ju-ju or cult
agency of God. Preceded by the cult of Akpambe, it is believed to have originated among
the Ejagham and is used to detect witches through a complex masquerade performance.
The mask is worn on top of the head and takes the form of a stylized crocodile, with blue and
yellow feathers at the back. The mirrors used for eyes indicate the divinatory powers of the
wearer, who becomes possessed by the Obassi Njom spirit during the masquerade.
Annang Funerary Ar
Another unique aspect of the culture in the Cross River region is the elaborate structures
called Nwomo, built by some Annang – Ibibio groups, especially the Afaha, ukana, and otoro.
These shrines for the dead are erected at the time of the ceremonial burial, providing a
sacred space to honor the departed.
Screwpine Sleeping Mats
Traditional beds in the Cross River region are made of mud platforms or structures of palm
midribs or bamboo, with the Screwpine shrub providing materials for sleeping mats. The
leaves are cut, gathered, and cleaned with a blade of Indian Bamboo.
Decorated Calabashes
Calabashes serve a variety of purposes, including use as fishing net floats, house
decorations, masks, palm wine funnels, enema pots, and musical instruments. When used
as drinking cups, serving cups, foo foo containers, or storage receptacles, they are often
decorated.
The Ishibori Potter
At the settlement of Ishibori, inhabited by the Nkim people, the main craft is pottery making.
The pots are used for carrying or storing water, with a special flat-bottomed bowl for ritual
morning ablutions and a perforated pot for drying and storing meat and condiments by the
fire. Mogbo Ajayi is one of the best Ishibori potters, producing pots of first-rate technical and
aesthetic quality.
Ceremonial Palmwine Pots
Drinking palm wine is a central feature of social and ceremonial life in south-eastern Nigeria,
with the wine collected twice daily in the morning and evening. The Ibibio tap their wine from
the raffia palm, while elsewhere, the oil palm is exploited. The wine is collected in a special
tapping pot, with “wine” obtained by climbing the tree using a rope and “down wine”
obtained by felling the tree and tying a container to the top end after removing all the leaves.
Overall, my visit to the Oron Museum was an incredible experience. I learned so much about
the history and culture of the Oron people, and I was amazed by the beauty and intricacy of
the carvings and masks. I highly recommend a visit to the museum for anyone interested in
Nigerian history and culture.
Oron Beach
After visiting the Oron Museum, our tour guide suggested we visit the Oron Beach. At first, I
was skeptical because I was not aware that there was a beach in Oron, but I decided to go
along with the plan.
We got to the beach, and the view was breathtaking. The beach was clean and surrounded
by beautiful palm trees.
We decided to take a walk along the beach and soak in the scenery. As we walked, we saw
some locals playing football on the beach, and we decided to join in the game. It was a lot of
fun, and it gave us an opportunity to interact with the locals and learn more about their way
of life.
After the football game, we went to a nearby restaurant and ordered some fresh fish. The
fish was indeed delicious, just as our tour guide had promised. We also had some palm
wine, which was sweet and refreshing.
Overall, our visit to Oron Beach was a fun and relaxing experience. The beach was beautiful,
and the locals were friendly and welcoming. I would recommend a visit to Oron Beach to
anyone looking for a peaceful and serene getaway.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, my visit to Oron town was a memorable one. I was impressed by the beauty
and calmness of the town, as well as the warm and friendly nature of the people. The Oron
Museum and Oron Beach were both amazing attractions that gave me a glimpse into the
rich history and culture of the Oron people. I would recommend a visit to Oron town to
anyone looking for a peaceful and cultural experience. The town is a hidden gem in Nigeria,
and I am glad I had the opportunity to visit and explore it.
