The Akwa-Cross People of Nigeria: History, Heritage, and Culture is the first comprehensive book on Akwa-Cross contemporary historical analysis, and its historical reconstruction. The Akwa-Cross people are the second largest minority tribe in Nigeria whose tradition, culture, language, and history are fast dying. This edited volume is a timely effort in salvaging this information. Previously, historical facts about Akwa-Cross people and their region were distorted, misplaced, and misquoted. Akwa-Cross People of Nigeria: History, Heritage, and Culture edited by Unwana Samuel Akpan corrects historical facts about Akwa-Cross peoples and cultures and provides a holistic and historic text on the history, heritage, and culture of the Akwa-Cross people of Nigeria. The contributors present a compelling collection of studies that build on the path-breaking Akwa-Cross scholarship and offer critical narratives and analysis on tradition, culture, economy, religion, sports, and media of the people of Akwa-Cross. The themes treated in this historic book play a significant part in advancing public discourse on Akwa-Cross and add to the Akwa-Cross pedagogy.
Unwana Samuel Akpan is lecturer at the University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Introduction: The Concept of Akwa-Cross People of Nigeria: Unmuting Muted Akwa-Cross Historical Facts, Finding and Situating the Cultural/Traditional Synthesis by Unwana Samuel Akpan Chapter 1: The Indigenous People of Akwa-Cross: The Land, People and Politics by Ahaziah Umanah and Unwana Samuel Akpan Chapter 2: The Geography of Akwa-Cross by Godwin Jeremiah Udom Chapter 3: Indigenous Communication in the Akwa-Cross Region (1800-2000) by Des Wilson Chapter 4: Religion in Akwa-Cross Societies by Ahaziah Umanah Chapter 5: Historicizing and Factualizing Ethnocultural Ideations and Origination of Socio-Communicative Matrix in Akwa-Cross by Unwana Samuel Akpan Chapter 6: The Economy and Economic Activities in Akwa-Cross by Akpan Hogan Ekpo Chapter 7: Ethno-Medicinal Plants of the Akwa-Cross Region of Nigeria by Okon Godwin Okon Chapter 8: Agricultural Practices in Akwa-Cross by Ubon Asuquo Essien Chapter 9: Native Delicacies in Akwa-Cross by Ememobong Anam Akpan, Francis Anthony Akpan, Ubon Asuquo Essien, Mercy Ekwere, and Grace Akpakpan Chapter 10: Socio-Cultural Institutions in Akwa-Cross by Francis Anthony Akpan and John Bosco Ekanem Chapter 11: Historical Indigenous Feminist Activism and Struggle in Akwa-Cross by Unwana Samuel Akpan and Uduak Archibong Chapter 12: Marriage Partners in Akwa-Cross and in the Pre-Colonial Period by Francis Anthony Akpan Chapter 13: Akwa-Cross Distorted History: Unsung Heroes and Heroines of the Abolition of Twin-Killing in Old Calabar by David Lishilinimle Imbua Chapter 14: Educational History in Akwa-Cross by Comfort Memfin Ekpo, Thelma U. Ekukinam, and Stella Nwosu Chapter 15: Towards Breaking the Wall in the Twin Kernel of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States' Relationship by Joseph A. Ushie Chapter 16: Colonel Utuk: An Account of How Nigeria Cheated its Brightest Officer in the Biafra War by Ndaeyo Uko Chapter 17: Oral Account of Select Areas of Forgotten Akwa-Cross History with Professor Ahaziah Umanah by Odudu Okpongete, Uduak Archibong, John Justus Okon, Unwana Samuel Akpan, and Arnold B. Udoka Chapter 18: The History of Print Media in Akwa-Cross by Anietie John Ukpe and Edang Yolanda Ekpo Bassey Chapter 19: The History of Radio Broadcasting in Akwa-Cross by Eddy Ekpenyong and Effiong Efa Nyong Chapter 20: The History of Television Broadcasting in Akwa-Cross by Charles Obot, John Obot, and Victor Ayara Chapter 21: The History of Sports Activities in Akwa-Cross by Unwana Samuel Akpan, Effiong Efa Nyong, and Austin Okon-Akpan Chapter 22: Akwa-Cross: Looking to the Future by Unwana Samuel Akpan, Joseph A. Ushie, and Odudu Okpongete Afterword About the Contributors
A must read. This is an important history of Akwa-Cross people and Nigeria. Calabar, an important city of the Akwa-Cross people was a key city for Africans as far back as the 17th century when it served as a trading center linking Europeans with Africans. This book reminds us of the importance of that status and much more. The scope is wide, addressing myriad issues and reminds us of the critical role of Akwa-Cross in Nigeria and beyond. No other compilation is as important and compelling as this work. -- Chuka Onwumechili, Howard University The cocktail of stories in this book vividly reflects the socio-economic and cultural antecedents of the Akwa-Cross region. The depth and breadth of the stories and their multi- flavoured rendition jointly make the book unputdownable. -- Ray Ekpu, Newswatch This book is a veritable ethnographic humdinger and a cut above its peers! It presents a riveting tapestry of luscious anecdotes to celebrate a sophisticated indigenous people whose regenerative energy catalyzes Nigeria's march to greatness. The style is lucid, witty, lighthearted but not demotic. -- Fred A. Amadi, Rivers State University
