Lower Cross · Nigeria’s peoples

Annang

The Annang (Anaang) live in western Akwa Ibom; Ikot Ekpene is their political and cultural capital.

At a glance

Where do the Annang people live?: Their homeland is in Akwa Ibom State, across 8 local government areas.
What language do the Annang speak?: Anaang, a language of the Lower Cross family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Delta Cross › Lower Cross).

Overview

The Annang (Anaang) live in western Akwa Ibom; Ikot Ekpene is their political and cultural capital.^[2]High confidence

Where the Annang live

Local government areas by state. Homeland: the group is the majority. Shared area: a large share of a mixed area. Smaller presence: present, but a small share.

Akwa Ibom
- Abak(Homeland)
- Essien Udim(Homeland)
- Etim Ekpo(Homeland)
- Ika(Homeland)
- Ikot Ekpene(Homeland)
- Obot Akara(Homeland)
- Oruk Anam(Homeland)
- Ukanafun(Homeland)

Areas are approximate and show where people live. They are not claims of land ownership.

Communities beyond the homeland

Abak

Abak, Akwa Ibom State: Abak Urban, Afaha Obong, Ediene, Midim, Otoro.^[5]High confidence

Abak has five clans: Abak Urban, Afaha Obong, Ediene, Midim and Otoro. It became a seat of British government in 1902, after British forces invaded the valley between the Ediene and Abak clans.^[5]

Palm produce, once shipped through the river port at Ekpene Okpo, Ntak Ibesit.^[5]

Essien Udim clans

Essien Udim, Akwa Ibom State: Afaha Ikot Ebak, Mbiabet, Ikpe Ekoi, Ikot Idem Udo, Nto Okpo.^[6],[7]High confidence

Once the most populous part of Annang land, cut from Ikot Ekpene in 1989. Its clans are Afaha, Adiasim, Odoro Ikot, Ekpeyong Atai, Ikpe Annang, Okon, Ukana and Ukana East; Ikpe Annang has fourteen villages and Okon eighteen.^[6]

Ikot Ekpene

Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.^[7],[2]High confidence

The centre of the former Ikot Ekpene Division of Annang Province; the British set up a military post here in 1904.^[2]

Oruk Anam

Oruk Anam, Akwa Ibom State: Ikot Ibritam, Urua Anwa, Ikot Akpan Essien, Ekparakwa.^[8]High confidence

Largely Annang; made of the old Oruk and Anam areas, with nine clans including Inen, Obio Akpa, Ibesit, Nung Ikot, Nung Ita, Ndot and Ekparakwa.^[8]

Nto Edino

Obot Akara, Akwa Ibom State.^[9],[7]High confidence

Language

Anaang, a language of the Lower Cross family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Delta Cross › Lower Cross). ISO 639-3: anw.^[1]High confidence

Sources

Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).