Brief History: Utuekpe means spider. As the name implies, its performance is spider-like. This group makes use of unique traditional technological approach known only to the initiates.
Like the spider, a masquerade scales heights on strings, even riding motorcycles on string up a dazzling height.
The origin of this group is in Annang chronicled in antiquity. For years now, science have been able to explain how this is performed among the Annang people.
Utuekpe includes both institutional and non-institutional drama, because it has the prime objective of re-structuring the communal and individual personality, developing a critical social conscience, and reforming the thoughts and behaviour of posterity.
The style and structure of this performance depend largely on two factors.
The context of the drama, and the variable artistic combinations of the dominant idiom of the drama. The context could be social, ceremonial, political or religious.
Utuekpe is a secret society and one way of identifying it is through its masquerades, in which all initiates participate.
The usefulness and impact of this cultural group in the society is immense, therefore, it will be proper to highlight the value and significance of such group in the society for record purposes. Utuekpe itself is a cultural display made up of several masquerades and puppets.
There are masquerades like: Ekooŋ, Utuekpe, Abiakpo, Ndito Ekooŋ (children of Eka Ekooŋ), Ado Iso Ekooŋ (forerunner) and finally, Eka Ekooŋ herself, usually a dome-like masquerade. Utuekpe is a secret agent in all communities where it is practised. The main purpose of this group is to act as a security agent for the society in particular, and the community in general. Utuekpe is played by able bodied young men.
Looking forward to seeing this and many more during this year's Annang Festival of Arts and Culture(AFAC) by Annang Heritage Preservation. Be prepared!
Cc: Sitippe Ke AKWA IBOM
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