Ikot Ukpong
| Ikot Ukpong | |
|---|---|
| Village | |
| Etymology: Followers of Ukpong | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| State | Akwa Ibom |
| Local Government Area | Eket |
| Development ward | Okon |
| Founded by | Ukpong Nung Ese |
Ikot Ukpong is a village in Okon development ward II of Eket local government area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.[1][2] Ikot Ukpong means ''Followers of Ukpong'' or ''People of Ukpong'' . Ikot Ukpong is made up of different Nsit clans coming together, Nsit Ubium, Nsit Atai, Nsit Ibom, Eket and even Ibesikpo Asutan. The deity of Ikot Ukpong was called "Ukpong Idem" meaning "Spirit Body". Their primary language is Ibibio. Ikot Ukpong is occupied by the Ibibio people.[3]
Ikot Ukpong is among the area that was affected by the Atlantic slave trade of the sixteenth to nineteenth century.
History
The original founder of Ikot Ukpong Chief Ukpong Nung Ese who owned more than half the landmass of the village was addressed as "Obong" (King). Chief Ukpong the first ''obong'', held much influence and grew to become popular as a great leader throughout the Ibibio and Efik people. He died after a long reign and his first son named after him Ukpong Akpan (First son) Ukpong was coronated the next king of the village. The village grew to be the most respected kingdom among the Ibibio people as the new king Ukpong Akpan Ukpong promoted and maintained peace in the land.
In the early 19th century, another king was coronated after the death of Ukpong Akpan Ukpong, the second ruler of the village. Moses Akpan Ukpong, the first son of Ukpong Akpan Ukpong became the king and third ruler of the village, at this time christianity had already made its way to the region and was spreading fast. When Moses Akpan Ukpong took over he played a role in converting the villagers who still believed in the deity to Christians. Moses Akpan Ukpong got married to a christian wife.
Moses Udo Moses Ukpong the first of two sons of Moses Akpan Ukpong was to be heir to the throne in the case of the death of Moses Akpan Ukpong. In 2009, Moses Udo Moses Ukpong died leaving his second brother Victor Udo Moses Ukpong who formally rejected claims to the throne. The line of succession automatically falls back to any of the three sons of Moses Udo Moses Ukpong, the first son Prince Unwana Moses U. Moses Ukpong, Prince Emem Moses U. Moses Ukpong or Prince Moses Moses U. Moses Ukpong.
Moses Akpan Ukpong remains alive and still the current King of Ikot Ukpong, upon his death the line of succession falls to the grandchildren from Moses Udo Moses Ukpong his first son who died.
Geography
Climate
Because of the effects of the maritime and the continental tropical air masses, the climate of Ikot Udo Abia is characterized by two seasons, namely, the wet or rainy season and the dry season.[4] The wet or rainy season lasts for about eight months. The rainy season begins in March or April and lasts until mid-November.
The dry season begins in mid-November and ends in March. During this brief period, the continental tropical air mass, northeasterly winds and an associated dry and dusty harmattan haze affects the village. However, as a result of proximity to the ocean, the harmattan dust haze, is relatively mild; it may only last for a few weeks between December and January. The farmers benefit from the harmattan characteristics as they are good for harvesting and storage of the food crop.
Ikot Ukpong records mostly cold temperatures throughout the year. The humidity varies between seventy-five percent in July and ninety-five percent in January.
Infrastructure
The community has two hospitals, two primary and secondary schools. This infrastructures serves more than 6 other nearby villages in the area.[5]
Culture
The culture of the people are influenced by their religious beliefs and their farming. In the late 1800s, the people of the area were receptive to European missionaries. Most people are Christian and festivals tend to occur at Christmas.[6]
Food
In Ikot Ukpong, Yam, Garri and Plantain are staple foods. They are many different types of soup prepared in that area; afang soup, atama, white soup, fisherman soup etc.
Economy
The villages are mostly engaged in crop farming (mostly Palm Fruit) and raising livestocks. The region still falls under the oil producing region in the state.[7][8]
See also
References
- ↑ Ukpong, David; Akpan, Martin; Akang, Nnamso (2001-01-01). Ikono: the cradle of Ibibio nation : (historical origin and cultural heritage). Dorand Publishers. ISBN 9789780011451.
- ↑ Sanni, L. O. (2007-01-01). Cassava Postharvest Needs Assessment Survey in Nigeria. IITA. ISBN 9789781312656.
- ↑ Cross River and Akwa Ibom State Population Bulletin 1983-90: 1963 Population of Cross River and Akwa Ibom State. Statistics Division, Ministry of Finance & Economic Planning. 1985-01-01.
- ↑ Adams, Bert N.; Trost, Jan (2005-01-01). Handbook of World Families. SAGE. ISBN 9780761927631.
- ↑ Obotama, Raphael Mark (2013-06-17). The Beloved of the Creator: The Odyssey of Catechist Mark Bassey Obotama. AuthorHouse. ISBN 9781481751292.
- ↑ Baxter, Batsell Barrett; Young, Matt Norvel (1952-01-01). Preachers of Today: A Book of Brief Biographical Sketches and Pictures of Living Gospel Preachers. Christian Press.
- ↑ Unit, Nigeria University, Nsukka Dept of Economics Industrial Research (1975-01-01). Small-scale industries: South Eastern and Benue Plateau States of Nigeria. Industrial Research Unit, Dept. of Economics, University of Nigeria.
- ↑ (Nigeria), Eastern Nigeria (1964-01-01). Laws, Eastern Nigeria: Containing the Ordinances of Eastern Nigeria and Subsidiary Legislation Made Thereunder. Government Printer, South Africa.