History, Origin, Culture and Traditions of the Annang People in Akwa Ibom State

 
The Anaang (also spelled  Ànnang) are an ethnic group native to Southern Nigeria, predominantly residing in 8 out of the 31 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Akwa Ibom State: Abak, Essien Udim, Etim Ekpo, Ika, Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara, Oruk Anam, and Ukanafun. They represent the second-largest ethnic group in Akwa Ibom, after the Ibibio.

##Early History
The dominant paternal haplogroup among the Anaang is E1b1a1-M2. Their ancestors are believed to have originated from Northeast Africa and gradually migrated through the Green Sahara region. This movement toward the Cross River area may have been linked to the rise of Sahelian agriculture during the African Neolithic, especially following the drying up of the Sahara around 3500 BCE.

##Oral Tradition
According to local folklore, the Abiakpo clan migrated from Eka Abiakpo to the northern part of Anaang territory, followed by other clans such as Ukana, Utu, Ekpu, Ebom, and Nyama (the British later grouped these together as Otoro). The Anaang, along with other peoples of Akwa Ibom and Cross River states (collectively known as the AkwaCross), have lived in Southeastern Nigeria for thousands of years.

The Anaang people share a common ancestry with the Efik people, and it is believed that their origins trace back to Egypt. The migration from Egypt took them through Ghana, where the name "Anaang" is said to mean "fourth son." After their time in Ghana, the group moved eastward into modern-day Cameroon before finally settling in coastal Southeastern Nigeria. The Anaang community was organized into clans based on family ties known as Iman, similar to the Igbo clan structure.

##Written History
There is limited written history about the Anaang before the mid-19th century. Early European traders referred to the inhabitants of the Cross River region as residents of "Egbo-Sharry Country." The first documented mention of the Anaang appeared in Sigismund Koelle's records of freed slaves in Sierra Leone, where he mentioned a liberated slave named "Ebengo" from Nkwot in Abak. Ebengo had been captured by the Portuguese, freed by the British, and later settled in Waterloo, Sierra Leone. In this account, the British listed "Anaang" as the language spoken by the freed slaves.

The second mention of the Anaang was in connection with the Ikot Udo Obong Wars, where the British described the conflict between the Anaang and King Jaja of Opobo. The conflict arose from the Anaang’s defiance of King Jaja’s orders, trading palm oil directly with British merchants. The British intervened in the war, helped the Anaang capture King Jaja, and exiled him to the West Indies. Following this, the British established a military post at Ikot Ekpene in 1904.

During British colonial rule, the Anaang were subjected to changes in their traditional practices, including bans on hunting. These changes led to an increase in attacks by wild animals. When many Anaang men fought in World War II, these attacks became more frequent. The British authorities labeled these incidents as "murders" and accused the Anaang of being part of a secret society known as the "Ekpeowo" (Leopard Society). Between 1945 and 1948, there were reports of about 196 people being killed in Ikot Okoro, and the Ikot Okoro Police Station was established in response. In the aftermath, 96 people were convicted and 77 executed. The British authorities also banned the Anaang's traditional religion, Idiong, arresting priests and burning religious articles. Those who refused to convert to Christianity were considered suspects.

The Anaang people have long been known for their bravery and unity in the face of adversity. Their clans were known to join forces to fight common enemies, which helped them thrive despite the proximity to the Aro Confederacy and its powerful oracle at Arochukwu. In the 1950s, the Oko warriors, a revered group of fighters, were renowned for their invulnerability to knives, spears, and arrows. Machetes were often tested on the warriors' bodies to prove their strength.

The Anaang also suffered greatly during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), which resulted in significant loss of life and further political neglect of the group.

##Culture
In Anaang society, kinship ties are crucial. Those from the same "Ilip" (literally "womb") are considered to trace their ancestry to the same mother or father. Families, known as "Ufok," are made up of extended families called "Ekpuks." A collection of villages forms an "Ilung," or clan. This clan structure is somewhat similar to that of other southeastern Nigerian peoples but is more centralized.

Although leadership roles are primarily held by men, lineage ties in Anaang society extend to women, especially after marriage. Originally semi-matrilineal, like other Eastern Nigerian societies such as the Abiriba, Afikpo, and Ugep, women have a significant role in village life. They participate in societies known as "Ulim" (or "udim"), which are essential to the community’s structure. Leadership and governance are managed by elderly men in a council called "Afe Ichong," with the "Abong Ichong" (village or clan chief) serving as the head. Chiefs are appointed by the Afe or inherit the position.

Anaang women also play important roles in religious and cultural practices, such as serving as female chief priests ("Abia Iyong") in the Iyong cult or as healers. The first-born female, known as "Aliaha," is highly respected within the family and lineage. Women’s organizations like "abi-de," "Nyaama," and "Isong Iban" give women a strong voice and status in the community, and there are no cultural barriers to women attaining leadership roles.

The Anaang place great importance on oratory skills, with the ability to speak well being highly regarded, especially among leaders. The term "Anaang" itself is believed to mean "they who speak well," and individuals who excel in speech are often referred to as "Akwo Anaang," meaning "Man of Anaang."

##Fattening Room
In Anaang tradition, the "fattening room" was a space where virgin adolescent girls were prepared for marriage by being "fattened up." This process was considered essential for both physical beauty and fertility. The girl, known as "mbobo," would live in the room without clothing to allow her progress to be monitored. This practice was also used for infertile wives and as a rite of passage for entry into secret societies.

##Language
The Anaang people speak the Anaang language, which is mutually intelligible with Ibibio, Efik, Oron, and Eket languages. While the Anaang language was traditionally not written, linguists have since developed an orthography for it, enabling the creation of written materials in the language.

##Location
The Anaang homeland is located in Akwa Ibom State, in the southeastern coastal region of Nigeria. The political capital of the Anaang people is the Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area. The Anaang have lived in this area for centuries, long before European colonization.