Lower Cross · Nigeria’s peoples

Ibibio

The Ibibio are the largest people of Akwa Ibom State, centred on Uyo.

At a glance

Where do the Ibibio people live?: Their homeland is in Akwa Ibom State, across 14 local government areas.
What language do the Ibibio speak?: Ibibio, a language of the Lower Cross family (Atlantic-Congo › Volta-Congo › Benue-Congo › Delta Cross › Lower Cross).

Overview

The Ibibio are the largest people of Akwa Ibom State, centred on Uyo. Tradition traces them to the Ibom Kingdom near Arochukwu. Ibibio is mutually intelligible with Annang, Efik, Oron and Ekid.^[2],[3]High confidence

Where the Ibibio 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
- Etinan(Homeland)
- Ibesikpo Asutan(Homeland)
- Ibiono Ibom(Homeland)
- Ikono(Homeland)
- Ikot Abasi(Homeland)
- Ini(Homeland)
- Itu(Homeland)
- Mkpat Enin(Homeland)
- Nsit Atai(Homeland)
- Nsit Ibom(Homeland)
- Nsit Ubium(Homeland)
- Onna(Homeland)
- Uruan(Homeland)
- Uyo(Homeland)

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

Communities beyond the homeland

Ikono (Ntippe Ibibio)

Ikono, Akwa Ibom State.^[4]High confidence

Known as the cradle of the Ibibio people, Ntippe Ibibio; Ibibio tradition says the dispersal after the move south began from Ikono.^[4],[2]

Farming, fishing, cottage crafts at Mbiabong Ikon and Mbiabong Ukan, lumbering, and the Fiongaran market.^[4]

Etinan (Iman Ibom)

Etinan, Akwa Ibom State: Mbioto, Ikot Udo Abia, Ekpene Obom.^[5],[6]High confidence

Home of the Iman Ibom, one of the three Ibom clans; Ikot Udo Abia lay on a route of the slave trade. Etinan LGA was created from Uyo Division in 1976.^[5]

Farming and petty trading.^[5]

Ikot Abasi

Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State: Essene, Ete, Uta Ewa, Edem Aya.^[7],[6]High confidence

A boatyard and seat of a British consulate, and a centre of the 1929 women's uprising against colonial rule.^[7]

Mkpat-Enin

Mkpat Enin, Akwa Ibom State.^[8]High confidence

Traditionally Ibibio-speaking, with four clans and 87 villages.^[8]

Language

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

Sources

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