5th century Nsibidi
Thanks to Pam for commenting at the bottom of the Nigerian languages post this evening. Its a wonderful surprise to hear that Nsibidi ceramics date back to the 5th century in the Cross River area. See here and here. (Frustratingly, you have to pay US$12 just to have 24 hours access to the article - don't you detest 19th century modes of academic intellectual ownership!)
I'm sure like me, other readers would love to know how much knowledge/practice there is in Nsibidi artworks/design today. This would make a wonderful PhD project/coffee table book. In the same way that Adinkra has been sustained in Ghana, so too should Nsibidi be researched and used in Nigeria.
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17 comments:
Yay!!! See?? Nsibidi was shared by at least four neighbouring ethnicities that all lived in the same general area - Igbo, Efik, Ibibio, etc and I'm not surprised to hear that it was also found in Cameroon.
And now it's confirmed to be as old as I previously said it was.
Also, I just want to point out that the only reason people THOUGHT Nsibidi was invented by the ejagham people was because the colonists found the largest number of nsibidi items there.
It does not PROVE that it originated there.
Yay!! So I just bought the article!!!
I wonder if anyone can still transcribe nsibidi in these days. I only learnt of it myself just a few years ago.
One reason nsibidi found in cameroon is because the ekoi are spread that far. What's been produced above supports long held view, supported by etymology and other analysis that nsibid is of ejagham origin. What does nsibidi mean in igbo?
Other than the claim that it is of igbo origin, sugabelly, you haven't offered anything to support that claim. from the etymology, to its wide use among the ejagham.
@sugabelly
the ejagham people people are also the Quas of Calabar and beyond. they virtually share a language with some camerounians. most of those pots were excavated on Qua land.... Unical.. Marian Ext Rd... etc.. thats still ejagham...
@Anonymous: But Nsibidi is also widely used among Igbos.
Have you ever heard of Uli? (It's a world famous Igbo decorative art).
Uli is chock full of Nsibidi. It's everywhere. It's practically impossible to do any meaningful uli without Nsibidi.
Nsibidi is all over Igbo artefacts as well. Go look at some of the Igbo masks and costumes next time you're in a museum. You'll notice Nsibidi symbols all over them.
@pam: Igbo secret societies have been using Nsibidi forever. Igbo dibias have been using Nsibidi for the chalk sacred diagrams they have to draw on the ground for incantations and to speak to spirits. Mmuo societies use Nsibidi, Igbo women who paint Uli use Nsibidi, Nsibidi is also present in many Igbo tattoos and ritual scarifications. Nsibidi is also found on Ukara cloth which is an indigenously Igbo fabric, and so on
Here's a link to see Nsibidi on Igbo ukara fabric
http://www.hamillgallery.com/IGBO/IgboTextiles/UkaraCloth/UkaraCloth.html
It is likely that all the neighbouring empires (Igbo, Calabar, Efik, etc) shared it as a writing system but probably there were local differences in interpretation.
@sugabelly Im sure your right after all the ukara used here is made in Ohafia. I was only pointing out the ancient (5th -15th? century)pots were mostly dug up on qua land which means its a pretty old system amongst them.
But I wonder if people who used those pots even spoke the same languages we do now? 5th century is a long time ago.
I also wish we had more archeological digs in Nigeria. Prof Eyo had his funded from outside the country and he was lecturing in Maryland University at the time. He was once the oga of museums in Nigeria and compiled the awesome 2thousand years of Nigerian art. He shared with me his frustrations at being unable to raise any interest in funding archeology in Nigeria. It pains me that the few artifacts we have often get destroyed be misguided folks.
I'm enjoying these expose on this writing system that has existed for ages. I'm also learning new things. Thanks Jeremy for bringing these facts to attention.
this is so great i am from the ejagham tribe and have always been curious about our history. nsibidi is from my tribe and over a thousand years ago it was spread to the igbo and other surrouunding tribes. i am glad to say it actualy dates back to 170 a.d the time the ikom monoliths were built by our first ancestors to settle there
i am so glad. i am ejagham and have always been curious about our history, african history in all about that but im glad to say nsibidi started in ejagham about 170 A.D and over 1000 years ago they spread it to the igbo and other surrounding regions/villages this is so great.
nsibidi actualy dates back to 170 ad 1000 years ago they spread it to other regions.
The Ibibio word "Nyibi" which means turn in English, is the root of Nyibidi. Nyibidi means turning. The play was usually accompanied with drummings. The drum is called Ibit. The drum for the ruling Crown is called Ibit Itam. Itam means crown, hat, or headgear. Ekpe was indeed the governing deity and Ibit Itam was one of their major plays. Ukara means governance or government in Ibibio. Ukara cloth is worn by those in the government of Ekpe. The Ekpe and even Ekpo masquerade of old used to dance in a circular motion in order to induce a trance-like effect or feeling. Hence Nyibidi. Ibibio is the largest language of the Cross River and Akwa Ibom territories. Efik, Ekoi, Annang, Oron, Eket, Qua, Ibeno, Okobo,etc. are all variations of Ibibio. The Ibibio owned and controlled Arochukwu until they lost it in 1634 to the allied forces of the migrating Igbo and the Akpa. The Igbo slaves of the Ibibio rebelled and joined forces with the Akpa who were themselves of Ibibio origin. The Ibibios left both Arochukwu and their ancient Long Juju, but those who remained continued to run the oracles and influence the Igbo converts/practitioners of Ekpe. The Ibibios and Efiks taught Nsibidi to the Igbos through the Ekpe society. The chief language used in Ekpe is Ibibio. The Ibibios and Efiks knew Arochukwu as Ibom and Mbot Abasi. Mbot means creation. Abasi means God. Therefore, Mbot Abasi means the creation of God or, simply, the people of God. While in Arochukwu, the Ibibio leaders had a secret society called Ekpe. Ekpe means leopard or lion. The leadership operated (and still does)in an esoteric manner. Only members are privy to the innerworkings of the group. They developed an elaborate system of logograms through which their ideas, knowledge, and activities awere recorded. Nyibidi which means turning (going in circles), evolved into Nsibidi. Nsibidi is Ibibio for what is at play or, what's playing? Nso = what. I(as in letter "e")= is. Bidi = play or playing. NSO-I-BIDI (NSIBIDI) or NSO-I-BIRI(NSIBIRI) means what's playing? What's at play? Therefore, Nsibidi means what is playing or, what's at play? Nsibidi was later adopted as the name for the writings associated with Ekpe society. It is true that the Europeans found most of the Nsibidi script among the Ekoi, but it is really of Ibibio origin. The Igbos could not fully adapt Nsibidi because translation from Ibibio into Igbo had too many constraints. Original meanings of Ekpe society's Nsibidi often got lost in translation.
Before slave trade was finally abolished in Northern Nigeria, the Emir of Kotangora was the number one slave trader in Northern Nigeria. After the British raided and defeated the Emir of Kotangora in 1901 or so, they found a large copper jug with a beautifully embroidered Star of David on it at his palace. The Star of David is also called Solomonic Emblem. Later, the British discovered the secret Nsibidi scripts among the Ekoi, Efik, Ibibio, and Igbo of Southern Nigeria. One of the Nsibidi scripts (the one currently on my page) also had the Star of David on it. It was widely studied in Europe and among the Jews. It was believed that both sides (North and South) shared a common Solomonic heritage. So, Lord Lugard adopted the Star of David as colonial Nigeria's emblem. Many believed that the Emir of Kotangora actually got the embroidered jug in question from his slave-trading friends who dominated the old Calabar province. The colonial authorities themselves were aware of the Hebrew or Jewish leanings of the citizens of Old Calabar province. The Ekoi and Efik-Ibibio with their 8-day week, male circumcisions, etc. and, Igbos with their 4-day week calendar. The Hebrewisms of the Igbo came mainly out of the Arochukwu area. That's the same area that used to be Ibibio-Efik territory until 1634.
NSIBIDI AND THE IBIBIO CIVILIZATION OF AROCHUKWU
The Ibibio word "Nyibi" which means turn in English, is the root of Nyibidi. Nyibidi means turning. The play was usually accompanied with drummings. The drum is called Ibit in Ibibio. The drum for the ruling Crown is called Ibit Itam. Itam means crown, hat, or headgear. Ekpe(leopard) was indeed the governing deity and Ibit Itam was one of their major plays. Ukara means governance or government in Ibibio. Ukara cloth is worn by those in the government of Ekpe. The Ekpe and even Ekpo masquerade of old used to dance in a circular motion in order to induce a trance-like effect or feeling. Hence Nyibidi. Ibibio is the largest language of the Cross River and Akwa Ibom territories. Efik, Ekoi, Annang, Oron, Eket, Qua, Ibeno, Okobo,etc. are all variations of Ibibio. The Ibibio owned and controlled Arochukwu until they lost it in 1634 to the allied forces of the migrating Igbo and the Akpa. The Igbo slaves of the Ibibio rebelled and joined forces with the Akpa who were themselves of Ibibio origin. The Ibibios left both Arochukwu and their ancient Long Juju, but those who remained continued to run the oracles and influence the Igbo converts/practitioners of Ekpe. The Ibibios and Efiks taught Nsibidi to the Igbos through the Ekpe society. The chief language used in Ekpe is Ibibio. The Ibibios and Efiks knew Arochukwu as Ibom and Mbot Abasi. Mbot means creation. Abasi means God. Therefore, Mbot Abasi means the creation of God or, simply, the people of God. While in Arochukwu, the Ibibio leaders had a secret society called Ekpe. Ekpe means leopard or lion. The leadership operated (and still does)in an esoteric manner. Only members are privy to the innerworkings of the group. They developed an elaborate system of logograms through which their ideas, knowledge, and activities were recorded. Nyibidi which means turning (going in circles), evolved into Nsibidi. Nsibidi is Ibibio for what is at play or, what's playing? Nso = what. I(as in letter "e" = is. Bidi = play or playing. NSO-I-BIDI (NSIBIDI) or NSO-I-BIRI(NSIBIRI) means what's playing? What's at play? Therefore, Nsibidi means what is playing or, what's at play? The language and words used in Nsibidi ceremonies are mostly if not all Ibibio words. Ikpo is Ibibio word for funeral. Ikpe is also Ibibio for judgment. Enyong or eniong is Ibibio word for North or upper strata. Ekpe is Ibibio word for leopard and Esop is Ibibio word for court. Nsibidi was later adopted as the name for the writings associated with Ekpe society. It is true that the Europeans found most of the Nsibidi script among the Ekoi, but it is really of Ibibio origin. When Aro and their allies conquered the Ibibio in 1634, they took over the oracle but retained its priests, with Loesin as the chief priest. It was he who later initiated Aro indigenes into the cult as priests. IBINI UKPABI is the IGBO corruption of IBIT UKPABI. Some say the Igbos used the word IBINI as homage to the slave-raiding Oba of Benin who caused their migration to Arochukwu. After the IBIBIO lost AROCHUKWU, the Igbos renamed the Ibibio deity IBI ITAM (Drum of the Crown). They called it IBIT UKPABI. IBIT is IBIBIO for DRUM. UKPABI is an IGBO name. The corrupted version, IBINI UKPABI, is what they use these days. Since Arochukwu(Mbot Abasi in Ibibio or God's creation/people in English) is the spititual center of the Igbo race, you can say that their 'holyland' is actually of Ibibio origin. I'll call it the IBIBIO CIVILIZATION OF AROCHUKWU. The Ibibio created it and that explains why the Aro deities have mostly Ibibio names.
NSIBIDI AND THE IBIBIO CIVILIZATION OF AROCHUKWU
The Ibibio word "Nyibi" which means turn in English, is the root of Nyibidi. Nyibidi means turning. The play was usually accompanied with drummings. The drum is called Ibit in Ibibio. The drum for the ruling Crown is called Ibit Itam. Itam means crown, hat, or headgear. Ekpe(leopard) was indeed the governing deity and Ibit Itam was one of their major plays. Ukara means governance or government in Ibibio. Ukara cloth is worn by those in the government of Ekpe. The Ekpe and even Ekpo masquerade of old used to dance in a circular motion in order to induce a trance-like effect or feeling. Hence Nyibidi. Ibibio is the largest language of the Cross River and Akwa Ibom territories. Efik, Ekoi, Annang, Oron, Eket, Qua, Ibeno, Okobo,etc. are all variations of Ibibio. The Ibibio owned and controlled Arochukwu until they lost it in 1634 to the allied forces of the migrating Igbo and the Akpa. The Igbo slaves of the Ibibio rebelled and joined forces with the Akpa who were themselves of Ibibio origin. The Ibibios left both Arochukwu and their ancient Long Juju, but those who remained continued to run the oracles and influence the Igbo converts/practitioners of Ekpe. The Ibibios and Efiks taught Nsibidi to the Igbos through the Ekpe society. The chief language used in Ekpe is Ibibio. The Ibibios and Efiks knew Arochukwu as Ibom and Mbot Abasi. Mbot means creation. Abasi means God. Therefore, Mbot Abasi means the creation of God or, simply, the people of God. While in Arochukwu, the Ibibio leaders had a secret society called Ekpe. Ekpe means leopard or lion. The leadership operated (and still does)in an esoteric manner. Only members are privy to the innerworkings of the group. They developed an elaborate system of logograms through which their ideas, knowledge, and activities were recorded. Nyibidi which means turning (going in circles), evolved into Nsibidi. Nsibidi is Ibibio for what is at play or, what's playing? Nso = what. I(as in letter "e" = is. Bidi = play or playing. NSO-I-BIDI (NSIBIDI) or NSO-I-BIRI(NSIBIRI) means what's playing? What's at play? Therefore, Nsibidi means what is playing or, what's at play? The language and words used in Nsibidi ceremonies are mostly if not all Ibibio words. Ikpo is Ibibio word for funeral. Ikpe is also Ibibio for judgment. Enyong or eniong is Ibibio word for North or upper strata. Ekpe is Ibibio word for leopard and Esop is Ibibio word for court. Nsibidi was later adopted as the name for the writings associated with Ekpe society. It is true that the Europeans found most of the Nsibidi script among the Ekoi, but it is really of Ibibio origin. When Aro and their allies conquered the Ibibio in 1634, they took over the oracle but retained its priests, with Loesin as the chief priest. It was he who later initiated Aro indigenes into the cult as priests. IBINI UKPABI is the IGBO corruption of IBIT UKPABI. Some say the Igbos used the word IBINI as homage to the slave-raiding Oba of Benin who caused their migration to Arochukwu. After the IBIBIO lost AROCHUKWU, the Igbos renamed the Ibibio deity IBI ITAM (Drum of the Crown). They called it IBIT UKPABI. IBIT is IBIBIO for DRUM. UKPABI is an IGBO name. The corrupted version, IBINI UKPABI, is what they use these days. Since Arochukwu(Mbot Abasi in Ibibio or God's creation/people in English) is the spititual center of the Igbo race, you can say that their 'holyland' is actually of Ibibio origin. I'll call it the IBIBIO CIVILIZATION OF AROCHUKWU. The Ibibio created it and that explains why the Aro deities have mostly Ibibio names.
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