Ekoi people

Ekoi

Ekoi skin-covered Ekpe headdress
Total population
152,000[1]
Regions with significant populations
 Nigeria 87,000[1]
 Cameroon 65,000[1]
Languages
Ekoi language
Religion
Traditional Ekoi Religions, Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Ibibio, Annang, Efik, Igbo, Ijaw.

Ekoi people, also known as Ejagham, are an ethnic group in the extreme southeast of Nigeria and extending eastward into the southwest region of Cameroon. They speak the Ekoi language, the main Ekoid language. Other Ekoid 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.[2] They traditionally use Nsibidi ideograms, and may be the group that originally created them.

Geography

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.

Origin

The Ekoi believe that the heirs of the first settlers of their present settlement own the land; while newcomers are not allowed to buy land, they are able to purchase rights of settlement. Ekoi men have traditionally hunted, while women have engaged in agriculture, raising yams, plantains, and corn (maize). Women also fish, and both men and women participate in weaving.

Ekoi language

The Ekoi language is one of the Ekoid languages, a Niger–Congo dialect cluster.

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Joshua Project - Ejagham, Ekoi of Cameroon Ethnic People Profile
  2. ↑ Ekoi. Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2009-01-24.


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