The Cross River Basin in the Southeastern edge of Nigeria and part of Southwestern Cameroon is dominated by the Ibibio-Efik speaking peoples and related cultures such as the Ekoi. Though non-centralized there were many overlapping political structures including age sets, secret societies, mercantile associations, and paramount chiefs elected by clan leaders. Though distinct in ethnic identities, the Ibibio-Efik peoples speak mutually intelligible languages. Political and cultural developments accelerated with the rise of the Atlantic slave trade as different leaders vied for control of the market. The mightiest state to arise under these circumstances was the Efik state of Calabar. They were able to dominate the majority Ibibio to such a degree that most slaves exported from Calabar were Ibibio. The decentralized nature of the Cross River societies meant that it was much easier for foreigners to insert themselves into local politics. The British were able to swiftly gain much influence in the region for this reason.
The Ekpe or Leopard society exerted huge influence on the Efik-Ibibio cultures. It was extraordinarily popular and even extended its reach into Eastern Igboland. The secret society held that they were disciples of a jungle spirit and enforced the will of the ancestors on the living. Even local kings could not defy the Ekpe society. A widespread belief among the peoples of Southeastern Nigeria was that twin babies were abominations given mortal shape and needed to be abandoned or outright killed. The Scottish missionary Mary Slessor devoted her life to stomping out infanticide and the maltreatment of women in Calabar, as well as spreading the Gospel. Even today she remains highly respected for her work in improving the lives of the Efik.
The Ibibio-Efik hold that the supreme God is called Abassi who lives aloof from the world for the most part. Instead spirits called the Ndem have the task of managing and running the universe. There was and still is a common belief in the power of malevolent witches. Another notable aspect of Ibibio-Efik religion was the belief in "Bush Souls" said to be the aspect of the human soul which manifests as a wild beast or plant.
Ibibio-Efik mythology provides examples of the following tropes:
- Adam and Eve Plot: Abassi's servant Abassi Ubulukpabi was tasked with finishing the creation of the first man and woman before breathing life into them and showing them the world outside the caves.
- End of an Age: The first two beings to come down from heaven were monstrous giants. Eventually they were purged. And the first generation of mankind lived in abundance and peace, when they died they became spirits. The second generation of man was inferior. They were stupid and brutal to each other, they doomed themselves this way. The third generation of humans were virtuous and heroic, having many adventures and battling evil. When they died they went to a splendid country. The present fifth generation of mankind is degenerate and lives in a world of pain, loss, and sorrow. And we just keep getting worse.
- The Maker: Abassi was said to have cut down a massive tree and constructed the world from it.
- These Are Things Man Was Not Meant to Know: Abassi under the name Wonoi-Ekpon was disturbed by the curiosity of the first mortals. They asked him how he made the world, why he never aged, how he established nature and custom, and how did he order the cosmos? Fearing rebellion, he crawled through a hole and was never seen again.
