The Ikom Festival and the Ikom Monoliths (Akwanshi) are deeply interwoven cultural symbols of the Ekoi people in Cross River State, Nigeria. They serve as historical artifacts and living traditions that showcase the region’s artistic, spiritual, and social heritage. The festival, rooted in ancient customs, ensures the preservation and celebration of the monoliths, which remain one of Africa’s most intriguing archaeological wonders.
The Ikom Monoliths: Nigeria’s Ancient Stone Circles
The Ikom Monoliths, also known as Akwasnshi or Atal among the Ejagham people, are a remarkable collection of ancient carved stones found in over thirty communities in the Ikom area of Cross River State, Nigeria. Originally numbering around 400-450, these carved stone pillars are believed to date between 200 AD and 1,000 AD. However, due to threats from fire, theft, vandalism, and neglect, their numbers have dwindled to fewer than 250, with many now housed in museums worldwide.
Description of the Monoliths
The majority of the monoliths are skillfully carved from hard, medium-textured rocks. They range in height from 0.91 to 1.83 meters (3 to 6 feet) and are predominantly phallic in form. Each stone is unique, featuring stylised human faces with two eyes, an open mouth, a head crowned with rings, a pointed beard, an elaborately marked navel, and intricately carved hands and fingers.Â
These ancient stone carvings in Nigeria, varying in size and shape, are engraved with complex symbols, possibly representing an ancient form of writing and communication. Their origins remain a mystery but are widely believed to mark ancestral graves, sacred sites, or spiritual totems.Â
The monoliths are arranged in circular formations, often facing each other, symbolising their role in communal traditions. Some are located in central village meeting places, while others are found in uncultivated forests outside the villages. Despite similarities in design, each stone carries a distinct identity, similar to a fingerprint, highlighting the advanced artistic understanding of the designers.
Significance of the Monoliths
1. Historical significance of the monoliths
Their historical importance is comparable to other world-famous megalithic structures like Stonehenge and the Easter Island statues, offering insights into early African civilisations.
These monoliths challenge the misconception that African societies lacked early forms of writing and complex artistic traditions, positioning them as key artifacts in global history. The Cross River cultural heritage is reflected in these monoliths, an essential part of local traditions.
2. Cultural and Religious Significance of the Monoliths
Beyond their history, the Ikom Monoliths are deeply embedded in the traditions of the Ejagham people. Historians suggest that the stones serve multiple functions, from ancestral memorials to sacred symbols of power and spirituality.
They are used as sites for sacrifices, community gatherings, and religious rites and often associated with gods of fertility, harvest, and war, reinforcing their spiritual importance.
The monoliths are also ceremonially painted during the annual Ikom Yam Festival. Only pre-pubertal children and post-menopausal women are permitted to decorate them. The colors used—white for peace, blue for fertility, and red for bravery—further emphasise the stones’ cultural relevance. Blood sacrifices near the monoliths are forbidden, but offerings are made to honor ancestral spirits.
The Ikom New Yam Festival: A Celebration of Heritage
The Ikom New Yam Festival, also known as the Ekoi traditional festival, is an annual celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the Ekoi people of Cross River. It marks the end of the farming season with colourful traditional dances, feasts, and Thanksgiving ceremonies.
This event brings the monoliths to life through traditional rituals, performances, and storytelling. It is a cultural bridge connecting the past to the present, ensuring that younger generations understand and respect their historical roots.
Activities Performed During the Ikom New Yam Festival
The festival is marked by several rituals and performances, which include:
1. Opening Rituals and Blessings
On the morning of the festival, elders and traditional leaders offer prayers, libations, kola nuts, palm wine, and other sacred items to the gods. They invoke the spirits of the ancestors for blessings and chase away evil spirits from the land. In communities where the monoliths are located, these prayers are offered at these sites, which are believed to hold spiritual significance.Â
2. Traditional Music and Dance:Â
After the prayers have been offered, the air fills with the sounds of drums, flutes, and gongs, signaling the start of energetic dance performances. These dances are performed at either town squares or the stadium.
Different dance groups are adorned in colourful costumes, some replicating the expressions of the monoliths, displaying their fluid steps, and dancing to the rhythm of drumming, flutes, gongs, and different indigenous musical instruments. These dancers perform war and fertility dances and even tell stories through their movements.
3. Masquerade DisplaysÂ
Adding to the lively atmosphere, various masquerades like the Mbufet, representing spirits and ancestors, entertain and educate the audience with their performances. Some masquerades are believed to have supernatural powers, and only initiated members of the society can interact with them. One is the Ekpe masquerade, a secret society dance where only the initiates can dance. These masked dancers in colourful, elaborate costumes reflect the ancestral theme of the festival.
4. Wrestling and Traditional Competitions
These events reenact legendary battles and test physical strength, a tribute to the warriors of the past. Young men engage in traditional wrestling matches to showcase their strength and bravery. Other competitions, such as canoe racing and hunting demonstrations, highlight ancient survival skills.
5. Display of Arts, Crafts, and Delicacies
Local artisans exhibit beautifully crafted items, including wood carvings, beadwork, and textiles. Some artisans create miniature monoliths as souvenirs, keeping the legacy alive. Visitors are also treated to delicious Ekoi delicacies such as Ekpang Nkukwo (cocoyam porridge), Afang soup, bushmeat, and fish.
6. Cultural Parades and Processions
One of the festival’s main features is the cultural parade of different groups. Different age groups and social groups dressed in bright-coloured traditional Ekoi attire march in a grand procession around the town, chanting, singing, and dancing to festive rhythms, reinforcing their cultural identity. In monolith communities, the procession often leads to the monolith site, where special ceremonies occur.
7. Coronation and Honorary Titles
The festival honours community leaders and individuals who have contributed to cultural preservation and community development. It sometimes includes the crowning of new chiefs or conferring of honorary titles on distinguished members of the community.
8. Closing Ceremony and Firelight Celebration
As night falls, a grand firelight gathering occurs, with continued drumming, singing, and reflections on the festival’s significance. The festival ends with prayers for peace, prosperity, and unity.
The Ikom Festival is more than entertainment—it’s a living history, a spiritual experience, and a platform for cultural sustainability.
Interconnection Between the Ikom Festival and the Monoliths
The Ikom Festival is the living link that keeps the monoliths relevant in modern times. The festival reinforces the monoliths’ ancestral importance through rituals and prayers while using dance, masquerades, and storytelling to depict the myths surrounding them.
It attracts researchers, tourists, and scholars who contribute to preserving and documenting the monoliths, thereby boosting the local economy as visitors explore the sites. Additionally, the festival provides a platform for historical research, allowing experts to study the inscriptions and their potential linguistic value.
Tourism and Global Recognition
The Ikom Festival and monoliths are gaining global attention, attracting tourists, historians, and archaeologists. Efforts are being made to secure the monolith’s UNESCO World Heritage status, which would lead to better conservation and increased tourism.
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Conclusion
The Ikom Festival and the ancient monoliths are deeply intertwined, forming an essential part of Nigeria’s cultural and historical heritage. While the festival celebrates the living traditions of the Ekoi people, the monoliths stand as silent witnesses to an ancient civilisation that still influences contemporary culture. Through these intertwined legacies, the Ikom Festival ensures that the historical and spiritual significance of the monoliths remains alive for generations to come.
Frequently Asked QuestionsÂ
- What is the significance of the Ikom Monoliths in Nigeria?
The Ikom Monoliths, or Akwanshi or Atal, are ancient carved stone pillars in Cross River State, Nigeria. Dating back between 200 AD and 1,000 AD, they are believed to serve as ancestral memorials, sacred sites, or spiritual totems. These monoliths provide insight into early African civilisations and challenge the misconception that African societies lacked writing and artistic traditions.
- What happens during the Ikom New Yam Festival?
The Ikom New Yam Festival is an annual celebration marking the end of the farming season for the Ekoi people. It features traditional rituals, dances, masquerade displays, wrestling competitions, cultural parades, and artistic exhibitions. The festival also includes prayers and sacrifices at the monolith sites, reinforcing their cultural and spiritual significance.
- How do the Ikom Festival and Monoliths contribute to tourism?
The Ikom Festival and Monoliths attract tourists, historians, and researchers worldwide. Visitors explore the monolith sites, witness cultural performances, and learn about the region’s heritage. These activities boost the local economy while efforts are being made to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for better preservation and global recognition.
- What are the unique features of the Ikom Monoliths?
The monoliths are made of rugged, rhyolite-textured rocks and range in height from 3 to 6 feet. Each stone is uniquely carved with human-like facial features, rings on the head, detailed hands, and intricate symbols. They are arranged in circular formations, possibly representing an early form of communication or spiritual gathering.
- Why are the Ikom Monoliths considered important archaeological artifacts?
The Ikom Monoliths are comparable to world-famous megalithic structures like Stonehenge and the Easter Island statues. They provide valuable historical insights into early African societies, showcasing advanced artistic skills, symbolic communication, and spiritual traditions. Their preservation is crucial for understanding Africa’s ancient heritage.
