By Comedian Sir James Essien
Geography:
Uyo local Government area which also doubles as the capital of Akwa Ibom State, lies between latitude 5.05 North and Longtitude 80 East. This is within the equatorial rain forest belt, which s a tropical zone and home to vegetation of green foliage of trees, shrubs and oil palm trees.
Tourism:
Tourist attractions include Ibom Plaza Park, Le Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort, Technology park and many other hospitable outlets.
Language:
Uyo Local Government Area as a people speaks “Ibibio” language. This is the local dialect in Ibibio land and entire Akwa Ibom State. Though there exist some slight differences in the dialectical aspect of some vocabularies as found among the people of Ikono clan; all the people of Uyo local government area hear and understand themselves in this one language.
People:
Uyo people are of the Ibibio stock and speak Ibibio language. There are unique traditions of the people which are expressed in Ekpo, Ekpe masquerades and dances.
Culture:
Uyo local government area as a people, have unique but various traditions and culture. In the mode of dressing, the dominant attire of an Ibibio man is a loin-cloth “Uwawang Ofong Isin” and shirt with a hat and staff to go with. While women folks have loin-cloth as well generally called “Ndot Iba” with a piece of it on the head as head-tie with blouse to match. They are also blessed with delicacies such as white soup ‘Afia Efere’, Afang soup, Edikang Ikong soup, Ubo Nkong, Efere ibaba, Efere Mbukpa Uyo and a host of others.
In the entertainment aspect, there are various dances and other cultural plays like ‘Ebre’ for women, “Asian Ubaikpa” for young girls and also the “Akpara Dance” for women. The men have the “Ekpo masquerade, the “atinkoriko” or “Awade” for young boys. Among the young girls we also have the ‘Abang dance’ for unmarried ones. It is the dance from which most young men pick their partners. The young men also have “mbok” display, a king of traditional wrestling competition often displayed by young men before the elders and the cream of the society. It is also a forum for assessing the strength, might and vigour of some youth for wars, leadership and fitness of a king’s assignment and a process towards the marriage of a princess.
The people of Uyo, by way of worship, are predominantly Christians.
They believe in the existence of one supreme being. Outside this, some people still practice traditional religion and have unique shrines for various deities like Idiong, Ndem, Ibok etc. Some of such deities associated with each of the four clans that make up Uyo Local Government Area are “Etefia” of Ikono clan, the “Afia etoi” of Etoi clan, “Udu Oku” of Oku clan and the “Ukana Offot” of offot. Their belief is that, though they are different, they are messengers of the supreme being that see to the peace, stability and well-being of the area.
Population:
Males Females Total
153,113 156,460 309,573
(Source: 2006 National Census)
Commerce:
The people of Uyo Local Government Area are predominantly farmers and traders. Their area of trade is mostly on food items like palm oil and other palm produce, vegetables, plantain, bananas, yam, cassava, etc. The trade items also include the products gotten from the sea like fish which are sold sometimes smoked and at times fresh. Also they have crayfish, periwinkle (mfi) and other products from the sea.
In recent times some indigenes have established cottage industries for the fabrication and production of some household utensils and farm tools. On the whole, they are very enterprising, innovative and adventurous.
Besides, Uyo people are property developers and craftsmen.
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