The Lower Niger And Its Tribes

ibio, who occupy the country from the mouth of the Cross river 60 miles up to Itu, with Duke Town their capital and the headquarters of the Southern Nigerian Administration, a large and prosperous town of over 20,000 inhabitants. To the east of Old Calabar are the Akwa, generally known as Kwa, living on the Akwa and Akpayafe rivers; to the north-east are the Ekoi, practically the same as the Akwa ; northward, on the east bank of the Cross river, are the Uwet, Okoyong, and Umon tribes; while on the east bank, above Itu, are various sections of the Ibo race, chief of whom are the Aro, who were until quite recently so celebrated for having in their possession the great and supreme divinity of the universe. Between the Cross and Opobo rivers, to a distance of 60 miles from the coast, is the Ibibio country; while at the mouth of the Kwa Ibo river are the Ibeno, a miserable mixture of the Ibibio and the Efik; and along the coast, up to the Opobo river, are a few more Kwa settlements. At Opobo is a colony of the Bonny or Ibanil people, who many years ago left Bonny and settled there. The town, containing some 15,000 inhabitants, is on the right bank of the river, two miles from the bar; and the people, who are keen traders, trade in all the Ibo and Ibibio markets, some 60 miles up the Opobo and Kwa Ibo rivers. 1 fhe vowel U is more frequently used than not in the use of this word Ibani, but either vowel can be used. From Opobo to Bonny, along the coast,... --This text refers to the Paperback edition.