Birthed in the 15th century as the exoteric [yet esoteric] form of Ekpe or Nyamkpe/Dibo, the Efik’s “Idem Ikwọ” is historically known to be the most famous, accomplished and adorable Ekpe masquerade designed for religious, governmental, social, political and cultural reasons.

While no published historical record exist to guide interested researchers on why Idem Ikwọ is so called and/or its specific originator in the ancients, particularly to guard against myth or speculations that either arise out of ignorance or based on fear that such could be a futile exercise because it appears shrouded in mystery, oral history offers two main Information that etymologically attempt/unveil needed information.

Firstly, undocumented History tells us that the reason Efik ancestors named their “exoteric Ekpe”-IDEM IKWỌ -was because it then mostly appeared to appease the people, run-Ekpe errands/execute Ekpe judgements on Akwa Ikwọ day.

Contextually note that preceding the Akwa Ikwọ Day on the Efik’s eight Calendar Week Days is AKWA EDERI (the equivalent of Hebrews’ Sabbath Day/Sunday in modern Christianity sense; reserved mainly as Holy Day or public holiday for the worship of Ata/Akwa Abasi Ibom Enyọñ-God) and AKWA EYIBIO (set as spiritism or pantheism day for the worship of the gods, juju and ancestral spirits -Ndem, Ibọk, mbukpo etc), while AKWA ỌFIỌÑ (the day after Akwa Ikwọ) was mainly reserved as the day for Nyamkpe outing; restricted to only Ekpe initiates and forbidden against non-Ekpe initiates, women and children.

Secondly, another version of oral history informs that the Idem Ikwọ might have simply derived its name from the fact that it is mostly sung, eulogized or charged to dance or yọrọ by auditory stimuli as song (ikwọ), drumming, chanting (utaña Ekpit), cheering/applauses. Mainly when seen in cheery-appeasement of it large audience amidst heavy singing and drumming provided as external stimuli by a large choric force on street parade/display or daance during yuletide/festive seasons; a new King’s coronation; [Ekpe] chieftaincy events and/ or Nyọtọ festival.

Despite their distinct informative nature, it is deductively perceived that above oral histories respectively guide interested researchers to what probably is/could be the etymology of Idem Ikwọ because both rightly connect to the Efik homonym for Ikwọ day and song/auditory art.

Finally, kindly provide additional information if available and/or different from what is provided in this post.

HAVE YOUR SAY!

© Holyns Hogan, 2025

We are pleased to inform you that the re-launch of the amazing DECKACY BRAND shall be taking place on Monday the 20th of January at The City Library in Bradford at 4pm on the dot.

COME AND BE PART OF THIS AMAZING RELAUNCH

DECKACY represents a Movement of Change, celebrating innovation, empowerment, and community with the aim of building a more inclusive future

This amazing event will be hosed by the CEO of DECKACY – Mr Geroge Matheson with Tony Tokunbo Fernandez as MC.

There will also some amazing speakers on the day including Bradford based Community Champion- Jerry Crawford, Huddersfield based Community champion- June Abbot and many others

COME AND BE PART OF THIS AMAZING RELAUNCH TAKING PLACE AT THE CITY LIBRARY IN BRADFORD .

#bradford2025 #cityofculture20225 #bradford #huddersfield

We extend a warm welcome to the inaugural Greater Manchester Black Tech Expo, organized in collaboration with The Growth Company.

The primary objective of the Greater Manchester Black Tech Expo is to address the digital divide, stimulate business development, and enhance inclusivity within communities that constitute the global majority. This event serves as a platform for connecting businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators from the Black diaspora, Africa, and the Caribbean, thereby facilitating opportunities for networking, funding, and strategic partnerships and job creation.

The event will feature distinguished speakers who possess diverse backgrounds along with substantial experience, knowledge, expertise, and proven track records. Dr Emilee Simmons, Samantha Lubanzu, Adewale Omoniyi, Esther Aluko, Ali Olad , Ahmed Rimi , Dionne Taylor, Saeed , Sam Freakes, Fatima Abrar, Mary Fashanu , Nick Shepherd, Michael Livingston, Angel A ,Effa Ettah, Otis Thomas, Leanna Cameron , Michael Ekpechue

Join us on Friday, January 31st 2025 and Saturday, February 1st 2025 from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the Windrush Millennium Centre located in Moss Side, Manchester M16 7WD.

#manchester #businessexpo #techexpo #blackbusiness #sme #mossside #africansinthediaspora

An Accomplished business owner , builder of people, social change and inclusion campaigner , digital technology enthusiast, who believes skills and knowledge development as a vital tool of development for individuals in reshaping our communities. I have been involved in various human and community development projects, focused on helping individuals gain and upscale their knowledge and become employable and socially relevant. With over 17years experience, I have nurtured and mentored several individuals, impacting them with needed skills-set and knowledge needed to chart a career pathway of value. My industry experience is widely spread, from the corporate sector of Banking to telecom, security to healthcare..
As a business owner, his skills and knowledge impactation in the art of males grooming and service delivery is legendary, as many individuals have become entrepreneurs and successful craft masters in male grooming through this. In the last 2years, I have passionately embraced smart technology and the ethical use of it.

My background experience sales, account and business management gained from working with top UK blue-chip organisations, I am set to light up the BAME communities with smart technology and innovations. Furthermore, I am involved in a lot of charity work across different ecosystem and communities , with the singular goal of adding his bit in ensuring the world remains a better place and bright future for the next generation. I believes in working the talk. At the moment , I am working on some smart technology projects , whilst lauching various startups in the UK to support inclusion, diversity, skill development and community support in the BAME communities. I am a He4She advocate, a supporter of women inclusion in leadership and development.
I head TWAA UK, a women empowerment and mentorship platform that building a community of affirmed and aware women. Smart technology health sector is an area I have personal connection with, hence my passion driven involvement in driving Afya Rekod in the UK , a digital health platform focused on better healthcare systems and patient management.
I am the Director Adanian Labs UK (AKA Adalab Technology Ltd) , Ada Animation UK , Ecobba UK.

SOURCE – B2B GROWTH EXPO

Dear Family and Friends

THE TONY TOKUNBO FERNANDEZ SHOW continues to promote the true life and success stories of African and Caribbean Achievers around the world.

For over five years OUR PODCAST has continued to promote African Achievers in different regions around the world

We have some amazing guests lined up in 2025, and we cannot wait to keep you posted.

Also watch this space for some of our PODCAST FOOTAGE lined up in Nigeria, Thailand. Latvia and East Africa next year,

Visit our Channel TODAY at http://www.youtube.com/user/etekatoks

Dear Family and Friends

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and HAPPY NEW YEAR in advance filled with inner peace, joy and great manifestations .

Thank you for being part of our journey this year and may great blessings continue to unfold in your life.

We have some amazing initiatives lined up in Nigeria, Thailand, Latvia and East Africa next year.

We will surely keep you posted

IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY VISITED OUR CHANNEL , VISIT IT TODAY AT www.youtube.com/user/etekatoks and SUBSCRIBE

ALSO VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.myfernandez.com

Hello, I am Zeriah Otutu, director of MGTY and I am also known as “Zee D Barber.”  I began learning the art of barbering at age 13, recognising early on the importance of developing a skill that would provide a legal income and pave the way for my career. Over time, barbering has become a significant part of my identity. To share my passion and expertise, I now teach young people aged 15-25, offering them unique skills not typically covered in standard college courses, including the care of Afro hair and the safe use of shavers in my own project “Skool of Barbering”

As the director of MGTY (Manchester’s Got Talent Youth), I manage the youth side of our organisation. My role at MGTY is closely connected to my work as a barber. Through barbering, I not only earn a living but also mentor and guide young people, helping them develop valuable skills and a sense of purpose. At MGTY, we engage in diverse activities to raise awareness on serious issues while creating fun and positive events and projects for the community.

We support and showcase performers such as dancers, singers, rappers, and poets through radio and stage shows, encouraging other young people to pursue legal income sources and positive contributions. Being a barber is more than just cutting hair; it involves being a counsellor and a confidant for our clients. We provide a space where they can share their thoughts and seek guidance, which is a core value I bring to my work at MGTY.

I am passionate about continuing this impactful work alongside my mum (Shar), striving to do our best for our community. I am immensely proud of how far we’ve come, bolstered by the encouragement, support, and recognition from our community, including awards and donations. I look forward to fostering more positivity with other incredible young people and collaborating with organisation’s to make a mark on the world. As our motto at MGTY says, “Together we are stronger.”

Paul Obinna Wilson-Eme was born in 1959 of Igbo (Nigerian) and English (British) parentage in Preston, U.K. and is a qualified Teacher who has presented lectures and workshops both nationally and internationally over the last 38 years.

To better understand the historical relationship between the African & European worlds, he designed the LINEAGE TIMELINE, a scroll depicting a 9,000-year continuum, designed to expand the viewer’s comprehension of key psycho-historical happenings, both including and way past the contentious periods of Arab & European Colonization & Slavery. 

Central to his work and the Lineage Timeline design is the focus and promotion of HYSTORY* the innate, human genetic potential held by every human being. This is what Paul terms ‘Rehumanisation’, the natural healing response to the Dehumanising effects of the attack over the last two millennia on the female and feminine qualities within cultures and bicameral institutions. 

(*Hyste is Greek for Womb. HYSTORYtherefore is the “…Story from the Womb…” of the entire Human Family.)

This information is vital at what Paul terms ‘THE LINEAGE INTERFACE’ in any workplace where this extended sense of history is used to lay the foundation of becoming fully “P.C.” meaning Personal Confidence and Professional Competence on the way to World Citizenship.

WELLNESS IN DECEMBER

Carols, decorations, cookies, fried beef, red stews and more bills…. December comes with its craziness and you’ll probably find yourself overworked, exhausted, and frustrated by the end of the month.

Maybe these practical tips will help:

How about spending time with yourself this year relaxing at home and do some reflecting?

Rather than spending more money on expensive gifts, how about buying good quality gifts on sale or organise a small eat at my house over games? No gifts just good home cooked meals, drinks, good music and conversations.

Wear something from your closet. Do you need to sew something new this year?

Track every expense to avoid overspending.

Please remember life goes on after the holiday season, so be good to your wallets, so you don’t cry in the new year.

Feel free to share how you’re holding up this season.

Hi this is Otis Thomas – Managing Director T.A.P. Project. He is a father of one, an aspiring entrepreneur and an African centered progressive thinking visionary. He holds multiple positions amongst a plethora of organisations in the UK, USA and Africa.

Otis understands the importance of a quantum approach to solutions. Otis currently sits on the table of a few boards that impact our community, whilst also simultaneously creating his own tables. As a African centred social entrepreneur, Otis has made investments across the continent in countries such as Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia plus more.

He is currently studying a Masters in Management Practice with the University of Manchester to compliment his experience of 18 years in Project Management. As one of the Directors, He generates and pursues Business leads to create multiple streams of income for the company as well as taking the lead on coordinating projects and delivery.

We envision a future where TAP play an integral role within our communities creating multiple business opportunities for the next generation of young people coming up and the current crop of businesses currently operating. We will do this by raising Awareness, Promoting & Signposting.

#otisthomas #manchester #blackachievers #rolemodels