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The Anaang (also spelt Anaang) is a cultural and ethnic group that lives in coastal southeast Nigeria. The Annang people are the second largest ethnic group in Akwa Ibom State of Southsouth Nigeria, occupying eight out of the thirty-one Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria including Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara, Essien Udim, Abak, Etim Ekpo, Oruk Anam, Ika and Ukanafun. They speak Annang language which belongs to the Niger-Congo ethnolinguistic group. It has various dialects such as Abak, Ikot Ekpene, Ika, Ukanafun, Etim Ekpo, Obot Akara etc. Persons of Annang ethnic group call themselves “Owo” or (agwo Annang).

Socio-Cultural Structure of the Anaang People

Anaang society is dominantly patriarchal. Leadership at the family, lineage, village, or clan level remains the prerogative of the men, and lineage ties extend to women even after marriage. There are many societies and associations (Urim) for men and women which are very important in traditional village life. Individuals are measured by both the number and types of memberships in Urim and by the achievements of one or more Urims. Governance is done by elderly males who act as the legislative arm called Afe Isong, directed by the Obong or Abong Ichong (Village Chief and Clan Chief) who is the head and the chief executive but without the authority beyond what the Afe Ichong gives. A chief can be appointed by the Afe or can be an inherited office.

In addition, individuals locate their place in the social world from the Idip, literally translated as “womb.” Thus a brother/sister from the same Idip means that they can trace their origin to the same mother or father. Since polygamy is practised in the society, those who can so trace their ancestry to the same parents form Ufok (literally a house or compound). Several ufoks make up Ekpuks or extended family and several Ekpuks (extended families) make up “Idung” (meaning village) and several villages make up the “abie” or clan.

The Matriarchy Pattern of the Anaang People

There are no traditional or cultural barriers that prevent women from attaining high offices or positions. Indeed, traditionally Anaang women have a great deal of economic independence from the men. The society was semi-matriarchal before colonialism. Children bore the names of their mothers and such common names as Essien, Essiet, Ukpong and Umo were female names and became androgynized when the missionaries saw matriarchy as anti-Christian.

Anaangs value the ability to speak well and oratory ability using proverbs are highly desirable, especially among the leaders. Anaang women are not completely subordinate to men. Instead, Anaang women are partners and leaders in many aspects of Anaang tradition, including serving as female chief priests “Abia Idiong” in the Idiong cult or as healers in the healing cults. The first-born female known as Adiaha is important and commands respect in the family and lineage. Some traditions hold that a woman’s first birth should take place in her mothers’ compound. Women organizations such as “abi-de” and “Nyaama”, and “Isong Iban” play important roles in giving the women voice and status in society.

The Premarital ‘Fattening Room‘

The fattening room is traditionally where virgin adolescent girls are fattened up in preparation for marriage. A fattening room girl is known as a Mbobo. This was an occasion for a major village celebration and as part of her preparation for marriage, the girl was also instructed on how to be a wife. She would spend her time in the room naked so that her fattening could be observed, and would sleep on a bamboo bed which was thought to fatten her up. It was also meant to make it more possible for her to conceive easily. This method used for fertility purposes was also used at the time for infertile wives and as a prerequisite for entrance into secret societies

The Traditional ‘Air-Vice Marshals’

The Annangs are known for the efficacy of their traditional spiritual powers (charms), prowess in trading, and their renown art. Being always confronted with inter-tribal wars, the Anaang people without access to sophisticated weapons always resorted to the reliance on spiritual powers to conquer their enemies. Reliance on spiritual beings for aid has become a way of life among the people. In their worldview, humans must always resort to ‘higher’ spiritual beings for assistance. The huge lofty tropical trees that are characteristic of their location are believed to be a soothing and natural habitat for witches. Curiously bent trees and rivers are often seen as a coven for witches and other spiritual beings.

Other Aspect

This extends to mural paintings, raffia, masks, cement sculptures, markets, ceremonies and exceptional food. The Anang carve masks with grotesque features, known as idiok, which are considered dangerous and may only be viewed by members of the ekpo. Other masks embody the beautiful spirit or mfon.

They pride themselves in the ability of eloquent speech. An individual who has the gift of eloquent speech is often complimented as Akwo Anaang meaning the “singer of Anaang.”

Sources:

kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane

Pamela J Brink (1995). “Fertility and Fattening: the Annang Fattening Room”. In I.De Garine and Nancy J. Pollock (ed.). Social Aspects of Obesity. Routledge. pp. 71–84

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This article was first published on 25th August 2019

jeremiah

Jeremiah is a scholar and a poet. He has a keen eye for studying the world and is passionate about people. He tweets at @jeremiahaluwong.

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