History, Origin, Culture and Traditions of Etinan Town in Akwa Ibom State

Tonpregha undutimi Richard Saturday, May 24, 2025 Basis

##Geographic Location and Environment
Etinan Local Government Area is situated in the southeastern part of Nigeria, within Akwa Ibom State. It lies on latitude 05°01’N and longitude 07°54’E. The area is 26 kilometers south of Uyo (the state capital) and 24 kilometers north of Eket.

Etinan is bordered by Onna, Nsit Ibom, Mkpat Enin, Abak, and Uyo Local Government Areas. It is located along the Qua Iboe River and is part of Nigeria’s tropical rainforest belt, experiencing two major seasons: the rainy and dry seasons. The region is marked by lush, evergreen vegetation.

##People and Culture
The inhabitants of Etinan are predominantly the Iman Ibom people, known for being imaginative, industrious, and culturally vibrant. They speak the Ibibio language and practice a rich cultural heritage that includes:

Traditional societies: Ekpo, Ekong, Ebre, and Idiong

Artistic expressions: dance, music, sculpture, wood carving, and crafts

While Christianity is the dominant religion, some elements of African Traditional Religion (ATR) persist in pockets of the community.

##Economic Activities
Etinan’s economy is largely agrarian. Major livelihoods include:

Farming: Yams, cassava, maize, cocoyam

Petty trading

Small-scale manufacturing

Palm wine tapping

Crafts and sculpture

Baking and local food processing

Etinan has also seen some exploration for crude oil by Shell BP.

##Administrative and Political Structure
Etinan is one of the active LGAs in Akwa Ibom State. It is part of the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District and shares a federal constituency with Nsit Ubium and Nsit Ibom.

Administrative headquarters: Etinan town

Governed by: Chairman and Executive Council

Political subdivisions: 11 wards, each with an elected councilor

##Historical and Royal Heritage
Etinan is the ancestral home of the Iman clan, with Ekom Iman regarded as its spiritual root. The town is over 700 years old, predating even the Benin Kingdom.

The name Etinan derives from the lineage of "Eti" (father) and "Inan" (son). According to tradition, before a new Obong (king) is crowned, sacred rites must be performed at Ekom.

Etinan once served as the administrative center for villages now forming Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ubium, and Nsit Atai LGAs.

##The Etinan Federation
The central Etinan town consists of three villages:

Etinan

Ikot Ebo

Ikot Ebiyak (Ekpuk Ita Etinan)

These villages formed the Etinan Federated Town Council.

##Royal Genealogy
Etinan’s monarchical lineage (Eteidungs) includes rulers dating back to the 14th century. Selected figures include:

Akpan Edok Eti Inan Iman Ibom (c.1317–1428)

Etukudo Ofon (1630–1712)

Umo Etukudo (1723–1825)

Etukudo MbekAnako Umo (1926–1943)

HRM Edidem Imeh Dickson Umoette (current traditional ruler)

##Christian Missionary Influence
Christianity came to Etinan through Irish missionary Samuel Alexander Bill, who landed in Ibeno in 1887. Etinan’s openness and hospitality made it an attractive settlement for missionaries.

Timeline of Events:

November 11, 1898: First visit by missionaries S.A. Bill and John Kirk

November 25, 1898: John Kirk returns with Stephen Equlo (interpreter)

1900: First baptisms and establishment of Qua Iboe Church, Etinan

1900s–1930s: Etinan becomes a religious and educational center

Contributions:

Etinan Hospital (est. 1927)

Qua Iboe Printing Press

Etinan Bookshop

Etinan Institute (Secondary school founded in 1915)

Etinan Institute later printed the program for Nigeria’s first Prime Minister's inauguration.

##Emergence of Other Denominations
As Christianity grew, other churches formed due to doctrinal or cultural differences: