A brief look into the history, belief and economy of the Annang people

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They arranged themselves into clans and villages based on old family origins known as Iman as a result of the acknowledgement of lineages. These clans and villages were named after the lineages.

A brief look into the history, belief and economy of the Annang people

A brief look into the history, belief and economy of the Annang people: The Annang people belong to a peculiar cultural group that may be found in the state of Akwa Ibom in Nigeria. They also control a portion of the southwestern region of Cameroon, an area that was formerly a part of the states of Akwa Ibom and Cross River, which are now part of Nigeria.

Oral tradition is a method of human communication in which information, art, ideas, and cultural material are received, kept, and transferred orally from one generation to the next. This tradition states that the Annang people have occupied their territory in the coastal Southeastern region of Nigeria for thousands of years.

Therefore, it is a fact that should be taken into consideration when it is asserted by some Anaangs that they had their beginnings in Jewish tribes from Egypt and established in Ghana before arriving in the coastline Southeastern Nigeria and Southwestern Cameroon. This is because it makes what some Anaangs say a reality that should be examined.

It is stated that the migration of the Annang people brought them to reside among the Twi of Ghana, where the name Anaang means “fourth son.” The Annang people are related to both the Efiks and the Ibibios. After leaving Ghana, they continued their journey eastward into what is now Cameroon. They went their separate ways until they reached the highlands of Cameroon, but eventually found themselves back in the same territory in what is now Akwa Ibom.

A brief look into the history, belief and economy of the Annang people

The employment of proverbs is extremely desirable, particularly among those in leadership positions because of the value they have in terms of being able to talk fluently and clearly. Because of how desirable it is, the American anthropologist Peter Farb noted that among this people, the word “Anaang” means “they who speak well.” And as a matter of historical fact, the title of “Akwo Anaang,” which literally translates to “the singer of Anaang,” is frequently bestowed to a person who is endowed with the talent of eloquent speaking.

Religious belief

The traditional religion of the Annang people is founded, like the religions of the vast majority of African tribes, on the belief in the existence of a Supreme Being known as Abasi Ibom (Abasi Enyong), who the Annang people believe resides beyond the clouds.

However, there are also a vast number of divinities and spiritual beings (Abasi Isong) that assist Abasi Ibom in dealing with human problems of a moral, social, economic, political, and psychological nature (Udo E.A. 1983/Esen 1988). The term “ibom” refers to the entirety of the infinite universe. In this context, this means that he is the Lord of the entire limitless cosmos and everything that exists inside it.

However, because of the boundlessness of His being, there is neither a temple nor a shrine that is large enough to house Him. He is not able to be localized or limited in any way. He is unbound by the constraints of space and time. As a consequence of this, there is no such thing as a temple in the Annang religious tradition. And as the Abasi Ibom is perceived to be unlimited, so also are his powers. Though ever present through His power, yet withdrawn in person.

This is the reason why assistance from various other deities and ancient creatures was required. The creator, also known as Abasi Ibom or Abot, is responsible for everything that exists in the world, including humans, animals, plants, and any other existents. In the order of things that exist, he is at the very top.

A brief look into the history, belief and economy of the Annang people

Economy

Because the Anaang region is not an industrialized one, the majority of the population makes their living through farming, trading, creating traditional handicrafts, and providing public services. In point of fact, the economy is not robust enough to support the current population. And as a direct consequence of this, young people in the cities frequently find themselves performing menial labor for older, wealthier people.

In addition to that, which of course takes a back seat to the more respectable occupations of farming among both men and women, the Anaang people have a reputation for being extremely hard workers in the natural world.

Men are responsible for clearing land on the farm, while women are in charge of planting seeds and taking care of the plants once they have germinated. The one exception to this rule is the care of yams, which is traditionally seen as a male-exclusive role and obligation.

In particular, the Abak region is well-known for the oil palm products that it produces. The production of goods made of raffia also provides a significant number of residents of the Ikot Ekpene zone, which is located within the Raffia city, with a lucrative source of income.


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A brief look into the history, belief and economy of the Annang people

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