Ekoi

Religious Practices

The religious practice of the Ekoi is related to the general context of their existence and reflects their outlook on life. For example, the Ekoi are some of the best hunters in their area because of their constant monitoring of the conditions around them. They have historically been keen regarding the movement of animals, the nature of the forest, and the character of the weather. Their diviners and priests have made studies of the natural environment that guide them in determining the direction of the wind, the time of the rains, and how much and how long it will rain. This combination of skills, honed by time, tradition, and study of nature, has added to the tremendous respect that surrounding ethnic groups have for the Ekoi's ability to hunt, investigate, discover, and make sacrifice.

On special religious and ceremonial days, the Ekoi villages organized into the seven clans come together to celebrate with elaborately decorated wood-sculptured masks. Usually covered with the skins of animals, the powerful Ekoi mask is situated on a basket and worn on top of the head with a cowl covering the face of the wearer who dances the special dance of a particular ancestor or spirit. These masks are quite dynamic, and their visages are meant to represent vitality, power, courage, skill, character, discipline, and strength. The messages are clear to the observers who watch the dancers and discover in them philosophical and social commentaries. Among the most remarkable feature of the performances is the reinforcement of a highly ethical life based on the values handed [Page 233]down from the first clan ancestor. Celebration of the ancestors with the powerful dances of the awesome masks is therefore a celebration of the people.

According to some authorities, the masks of the Ekoi are considered some of the most naturalistic in Africa. However, this statement has to be taken with caution because the fact that the sculptured masks of the Ekoi resemble human beings, however distorted, does not mean that they are naturalistic. Indeed, the masks of the Ekoi may be among the most abstract images in Africa precisely because they look so naturalistic. They are profoundly proverbial and philosophical. The Egbo society of secrets makes statues looking like humans with mobile parts. However, the masks of the Ekoi are important as well for the subtle philosophical messages they convey.

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