History, Origin, Culture and Tradition of Uruan Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State

 
Uruan is a Local Government Area (LGA) in Akwa Ibom State, located in southern Nigeria. It was established in 1988 following its separation from Uyo LGA and spans an estimated landmass of 449 square kilometers. According to the 2016 census, the population of Uruan is estimated at 164,000. The administrative headquarters is located in Idu.

Positioned within the rainforest belt, Uruan is blessed with fertile land, abundant wildlife, raffia palms, and timber resources. Its rich coastal plains support the cultivation of key crops such as cassava and maize.

The people of Uruan speak the Uruan language, a dialect rooted in the Ibibio linguistic family.

##History
The people of Uruan have preserved a strong social structure and cultural identity, notably maintaining their seven-clan system. This structure is prominently displayed during significant traditional events such as the coronation and burial of the Edidem Atakpor, the Nsomm of Uruan, where seven bowmen, spearmen, swordsmen, and royal staff-bearers each represent the historic clans of Essien Uruan.

The primary deity of Uruan is Atakpor, a Great Mother spirit believed to have been brought from the Southern Cameroons. Atakpor, a water-associated deity, is considered an intermediary between the people and Abasi (God). She is believed to dwell in Akwa Akpa Uruan, meaning "The Mighty Sea of Uruan."

Important cultural institutions in Uruan include the Ekpe society, Ekong (warrior society), Nka (age-grade system), Ebre (women's society), and the traditional fattening home ritual known as Nkugho. The Ekpe society served as both a judicial and entertainment institution and included several grades such as Nyamkpe, Nkanda, Mbökkö, and Ibom. Higher-ranking members utilized Nsibidi, a secret symbol-based communication system.

Ekong promoted bravery and served as a traditional security force. Ebre, led by women, advocated for gender roles and social justice. Nka functioned as a communal age-grade organization responsible for service, discipline, and social responsibility.

The Uruan language, developed by the people, is a variant of Ibibio and has historically been misidentified as Efik due to shared cultural and linguistic roots. Both Uruan and Efik belong to the broader Iboku ethnic group.

Scholars such as Dominus Essien (University of Uyo) and Edet Akpan Udo (author of Who Are the Ibibios) trace Uruan's origin to early migrations from East-Central and Southern Africa. The earliest known settlement was in Uruan Akpe (present-day Idomi) near the Rio del Rey region in modern Cameroon. Political and economic unrest — particularly following the Batanga War — forced migration to the Cross River Basin, specifically to an area called Akani Obio Uruan around the 8th century AD. The nearby river became known as Akwa Akpa Uruan.

In the 13th century, another migration wave of Iboku descendants joined their kin in Akani Obio Uruan and Akpa Mfri Ukim. Environmental challenges such as flooding prompted the movement inland to the area that is now modern-day Uruan LGA.

Later internal conflicts among Uruan clans led the Akpe Iboku group — now known as the Efik — to migrate from Essien Uruan Itiaba to locations like Creek Town (Uruan Esit Edik), Duke Town (Uruan Ibuot Utan), and Henshaw Town (Nsidung). Many Efik families still trace their roots to Uruan villages such as Esuk Odu, Issiet Ekim, Mbiaya, Ibiaku Uruan, Adadia, Ndon Ebom, and Ekpene Ibia, where the Efik language remains in use.

##Clans
Uruan originally consisted of twelve clans, but today only seven clans are widely recognized. The others have integrated into neighboring Ibibio communities such as Ekpene Ukim (Nsit Ubium) and Ikpa (Eket) while maintaining ancestral connections to Uruan.

The remaining seven traditional clans of Uruan include:

1. Akwa Uruan – Includes Nturukpum, Esuk Odu, Ibuno Issiet, Issiet Inua Akpa, Use Uruan, Issiet Ekim, Ekim-Enen, Afaha Ikot, Ikot Nkanga, Ama Odung, Ikot Owot, Esuk Issiet, and Obio Nkan.

2. Etongko Mkpe Uruan – Comprising Ifiayong Obot, Obio Obot Osong, Osong, Akpa Utong, Ibikpe, Ikot Udo, and Mbiaya.

3. Mutaka Uruan – Includes Ekpene Ibia, Ikot Edung, Ibiaku Issiet, Obio Ndobo, Ikot Akpa Ekang, Ikot Akan, and Adadia.

4. Ekondo Uruan – Contains Ibiaku Ikot Ese, Ndon Uruan, Ituk Mbang, Ekpene Ukim, Ndon Ebom, Esuk Inyang, Nung Ikono Ufok, and Nung Ikono Obio.

5. Mosongko Uruan – Includes Akpa Mfri Ukim, Esuk Anakpa, Ufak Obio Uruan, Akani Obio Uruan, Obio Akwa Akpa Uruan, Esuk Idu, Ikot Etuong, Ifiayong Esuk, Nwaniba, Mbiakong, Ifiayong Usuk, Eman Ikot Udo, and Idu.

6. Ibonda Uruan – Includes Edik Ikpa, Eman Ukpa, Anakpa, Nna Enin, Ikot Inyang Esuk, Nung Oku, and Ikot Oto Inyie.

7. Akpe Iboku Uruan – Comprises Ibiaku, Eman, Utit, Ita, Ikpa, Ikot Oku, and Esuk Ikpa.