The Anaang (also spelled Annang) is a cultural and ethnic group native to "South South" geopolitical zone in Nigeria. The Anaang people are indigenes of 8 local government areas of the present 31 local government areas in Akwa Ibom State. (Akwa Ibom State Local Government Areas ), namely Abak, Essien Udim, Etim Ekpo , Ika , Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara , Oruk Anam, Ukanafun in Akwa Ibom State , and part of Obi Ngwa L.g.a of Abia state, e.g Akirika and others, Nigeria. They were formerly located in the former Abak and Ikot Ekpene Divisions of the Anaang Province, as well as part of the former Opobo Division of Uyo Province, in the former Eastern Region of Nigeria. The proper name for the Ika of Akwa Ibom is Ika-Annang. Parts of the Annang language may be intelligible to speakers of Efik , Ibibio , Oron, Eket (also known as Ekid ) of the Old Calabar Kingdom. Though the Anaang speech pattern was not written down, linguists have now produced an orthography of the language which makes it possible to produce written materials in the language.
In Annang dialect, the word "ilung"means village while in Ibibio it is called " Idung". The major linguistic difference between the Annang and other dialects is the predominant use of the letter "L" in place of "r" or "d",and the use of "g" in place of "w".The Annang dialect sounds hard but it is a dialect of freewill,ie the words roll out easily from your tongue than the Ibibio. According to oral tradition, the Abiakpo came to the northern range of Anaang from Eka Abiakpo. They were quickly followed by the Ukana clan, the Utu, Ekpu, Ebom and Nyama (the British lumped these groups together and gave them the name Otoro), and other Anaang clans.
The Anaang and the entire people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States of Nigeria (AkwaCross people) have occupied their land in the coastal Southeastern Nigeria for thousands of years. The group is related to the Efiks and the Ibibios . Migration brought the groups to live among the Twi of Ghana where the name Anaang means "fourth son". From Ghana, the group moved eastward into present-day Cameroon . It was in the Cameroon highlands that the group broke off but later arrived at same territory in the Coastal Southeastern Nigeria. Lineages were recognized and the groups organized themselves into clans based on old family origins known as Iman, a similar structure extends into the land of their northern neighbors, the Igbo.
Anaang society is patriarchal. Individuals locate their place in the social world from the Ilip, literally translated as "womb". Thus a brother/sister from the same Ilip 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 "Ilung" (meaning village) and several villages make up the " abie " or clan. Leadership at the family, lineage, village, or clan level remains the prerogative of the men, and lineage ties extends to women even after marriage. There are many societies and associations ( Ulim also called "udim") for men and women which are very important in traditional village life.
Individuals are measured by both the number and types of memberships in Ulim and by the achievements of one or more Ulims. Governance is done by elderly males who act as the legislative arm called Afe Ichong, directed by the 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. The Anang speak the Annang language and perform a masquerade after the yam harvest to mark the visit of ancestral spirits, or ekpo . This is also the name of a men's associations that once had great influence among Ibibio groups. The Anang carve masks with grotesque features, known as iliok , which are considered dangerous and may only be viewed by members of the ekpo . Other masks embody the beautiful spirit, or mfon. The strength of any individual, family (or group for that matter) is typically based upon a consensus of the village or clan through this complex social system. In all this, Anang 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 Iyong" in the Iyong cult or as healers in the healing cults. The first-born female known as Aliaha is important and commands respect in the family and lineage. Some traditions hold that a woman's first birth should take place in her mother's compound. Women's organizations such as "abi-de" and "Nyaama", and "Isong Iban" play important roles in giving the women voice and status in society. There are no traditional or cultural barriers that prevent women from attaining high offices or positions. Anaangs value the ability to speak well and oratory ability using proverbs is highly desirable, especially among the leaders. The American anthropologist, Peter Farb , stated that the name "Anaang" among this group means "they who speak well". An individual who has the gift of eloquent speech is often complimented as Akwo Anaang , meaning the "Man of Anaang".
The fattening room is traditionally where virgin adolescent girls were fattened up in preparation for marriage. A fattening room girl is known as a mbobo. This was an occasion for a major village celebration. 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 use for fertility purposes was also used at time for infertile wives and as a prerequisite for entrance into secret societies.Like most African tribes, the traditional religion of the Anaang people is based on the belief in the existence of a Supreme Being called Abasi Ibom (Abasi Enyong) whom they believe lives beyond the clouds. But there are also myriads of divinities and spiritual beings (Abasi Isong) that assist Abasi Ibom to deal with human problems of moral, social, economic, political and psychological nature. "Ibom" means the whole limitless universe.
Here accordingly, he is the Lord of the whole boundless universe and everything within it. However, due to His boundlessness, there is neither a temple nor shrine that can accommodate Him. He cannot be localized nor confined. He transcends space and time. Owing to this, a temple is, therefore, non-existent in the Annang religion. And as the Abasi Ibom is perceived to be unlimited, so also are his powers. Though ever present through His power, yet withdrawn in person. Hence the assistance from other divinities and ancestral beings. Abasi Ibom or Abot is the creator, the creator of the divinities, humans, animals, plants and other existents in the world. He comes first in the hierarchy of existence.
The Anaang territory is not an industrialized one; hence making the people to basically survive through farming, trading, local craft, and civil servicing. In reality, the economy is not strong enough to sustain the people. And as a result, young people are sometimes given out to more comfortable people for menial works in the cities. Besides that, which of course is secondary to the prestigious activities of farming among men and women, Anaang people are known to be very hard working in nature. It is the duty of the men to do the clearing of the farm, while women do the planting and care of crops. The only exception here is yam-care, which is believed to be a privileged responsibility of men.
0 Comments