The Calabar monarchs shunned old practices

Most of the traditional rulers have already dumped rituals and other diabolical practices like human sacrifice which were commonly practised in palaces and community shrines some years ago. Though the three major monarchs in Calabar – the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V; the Ndidem of the Quas, Dr Thomas Ika-Ika Oqua […]

Most of the traditional rulers have already dumped rituals and other diabolical practices like human sacrifice which were commonly practised in palaces and community shrines some years ago.
Though the three major monarchs in Calabar – the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V; the Ndidem of the Quas, Dr Thomas Ika-Ika Oqua III and the Muri Munene of the Efit kingdom, Munene Effiong Okokon Mbukpa VII are versed in the culture and traditions of their people, their commitment to, and practice of their Christian faith have been observed to have impacted on the  conduct of traditional affairs in their individual palaces and domains.
For instance, the Obong of Calabar, who is the grand patriach of the Efiks, has been opening the palace doors ajar to Christian leaders and prayer warriors who unfailingly visit every Tuesday to conduct church services and prayer sessions. This Christian practice has supplanted certain old traditional practices which have been consigned to the dustbin of history.   
The Obong himself actively participates in each session, removing his crown before all and joining in the clapping, singing, dancing and praying the Christian way.
The other custodians of the Efik traditions and deities called the etuboms, who are also senior cabinet members and kingmakers, also heartily join the Obong in the Christian observations. This, however, does not stop the other custodians and kingmakers from pouring libation to the gods and ancestors shortly thereafter.
When, on one occasion the Obong won a case at the Appeal Court to be re-installed he was asked why he allowed church sessions in the ancient palace which was a taboo in those days, the royal father told reporters, “Times have changed. These are modern times. We are not abandoning the traditions of our ancestors, yet we need to rebrand them. We recognise God Almighty and that is why we must always invite His presence in all affairs and events in the palace as a point of duty.”  
Even the Ekpe cult, which used to have so much traditional influence among the Efiks, no longer commands such terrific reverence. Today, the Ekpe masquerade is rarely paraded during important public celebrations in the palace. The reason is that most of its custodians, now devout Christians, are no longer as enthusiastic in parading it as they used to be. The younger generation too prefers to pursue what they call modernity, pastoral duties and academics, thereby putting the long-held tradition at risk.
At the palace of the Muri Munene, what immediately greet one’s sight are the bibles. The ruler himself personally leads in Christian prayers before commencing any activity.
The Muri, unlike his predecessors is always Christianity prayerful, talking about the Almighty God instead of to some gods and ancestral beings as was hitherto the practice. Mbukpa VII strongly discourages diabolical sacrifices that were obtained in the past.
Although the Muri, like the other kings, still adorns himself with royalty paraphernalia like feathers of birds on his caps and beads, he doesn’t hesitate to flaunt his new religious belief in the palace.
When Mbukpa VII met with journalists recently where he lamented the “injustice and persecution” he said he was suffering in the hands of the Cross River State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Attah Ochinke for insisting that the latter publish the Panel of Administrative Inquiry report on the alleged sponsored attack on his (Mbukpa VII’s) person and the ancient palace of the Efut by 12 hoodlums, he again displayed the Christian principles in a palace where such were never allowed!
When asked why, of the three major kings in Calabar he appears to be the only one often in the news, Muri Munene Mbukpa said perhaps it is because he was out to alter certain old practices. “Perhaps because I have deliberately decided to rebrand Calabar South renowned for all sorts of violence and other criminality, that may be the reason I am in the news; that may account for why I am being persecuted. I don’t mind. This rebranding is now opening up and attracting investors to Calabar South which used to be scary. Thank God those things are today no more. The governor himself has been very happy with me over this and is encouraging me to do more. I don’t think he is even aware that his key men are those persecuting me.”
Dr Thomas Ika-Ika Oqua III is the paramount ruler of Calabar Municipality. An intellectual and prolific writer, Oqua III though retains some of the ancient practices in his domain, anyone can easily see the touch of modernity there.