|
Tribe Snapshots Oron |
| Location: |
Southeastern Nigeria |
| Population: |
n/a |
| Language: |
Oron (Kwa) |
| Neighboring Peoples: |
Igbo, Ijaw,
Idoma,
Igala, Bangwa |
| Types of Art: |
Some of the finest wooden statuary attributed
to Oron peoples are beautifully carved ancestor
figures (ekpu). Many of these were destroyed or
removed from Nigeria during the Biafran war in
the 1970s. |
| History: |
Oron are closely related to the neighboring
Ibibio peoples. Both groups have lived in the
Cross River area of modern day Nigeria for several
hundreds of years, and while written information
about them only exists in colonial records from
the late 1800s on, oral traditions have them in
the region much earlier than this. The peoples
in the Cross River delta area were very resistant
to colonial invasions, and it was not until after
the end of World War I that the British were able
to gain a strong foothold in the region. Even
at this time, however, the British found it necessary
to incorporate local traditions in order to impose
indirect rule in the region. |
| Economy: |
The main economic staple in the region is the
palm tree, the oil of which is extracted and exported.
Among Oron, those of the highest rank in the Ekpo
society (Amama) often control the majority of
the community wealth. The Amama often appropriate
hundreds of acres of palm trees for their own
use and, with the profits they earn, ensure that
their sons achieve comparable rank, effectively
limiting access to economic gain for most members
of the community. The Ekpo society requires that
its initiates sponsor feasts for the town, which
fosters the appearance of the redistribution of
wealth by providing the poor with food and drink.
In effect, this allows a disparity in wealth to
be perpetuated in Oron society. |
| Political Systems: |
Individual villages are ruled by a group of
village elders (Ekpo Ndem Isong) and the heads
of extended families. Their decisions are enforced
by members of the Ekpo society who act as messengers
of the ancestors (ikan). Ekpo members are always
masked when performing their policing duties,
and although their identities are almost always
known, fear of retribution from the ancestors
prevents most people from accusing those members
who overstep their social boundaries, effectively
committing police brutality. Membership is open
to all males, but one must have access to wealth
to move into the politically influential grades. |
| Religion: |
Oron religion is based on paying tribute to
the village ancestors. Failing to appease these
ancestors brings the wrath of the Ekpo society.
The most important ancestors are those who achieved
high rank while living, usually the house heads.
They may control the fortunes of the descendants
and are free to afflict those who fail to make
the proper offering or those who fail to observe
kinship norms. Ala is the earth deity and is appeased
through Ogbom ceremony, which is believed to make
children plentiful and to increase the harvest.
It is performed in the middle of the year, every
eighth day for eight weeks by each section of
the village in turn. |
|
|
