Unam Ikot

 

By

Obododimma Oha

The Ekpo masquerade (sometimes wrongly referred to as "Ekpo Calabar") popular among the Ibibio and Efik of South-Eastern Nigeria is metaphorised as "Unam ikot" (Wild or bush animal). It adopts this apparently offensive metaphorisation and visually redesigns itself to reflect that "wildness" by acting wild and sporting some leaves in the mouth. In other words, it is supposed to be eating these leaves in the bush. But let it hear anyone call it "Unam ikot" and it would teach that person a lesson, unless it is in happy spirits. So, "Unam ikot" when Ekpo" is not within earshot or when one is ready to run. The name ordinarily can be used in insulting someone, just like saying "bushman." But insult is not for Ekpo. And whatever it chooses to call itself is its business! 

Unam Ikot! 

But let us try to placate with other soothing praises. So, Unam the most powerful. Unam the killer of killers. The darkness that moves about in the day. Unam the night and the day. Unam Ikot whose wildness is beyond measure. Unam who makes the wild tame. Unam Ikot! 

I have already pointed out that Ekpo masquerade visually constructs itself as wild. Let us expatiate. It is not normal. It is not human. It belongs to the wild, the wildest of the wild. Then, look at darkened, sooth-stained body. And the awful smell. And the crazy behavior. If these are not enough to construct the abnormal, then the sound added to them would help. The guttural, animal noise issuing out. Does that not frighten you? So, you have the heart? It is Unam Ikot echoing! 

On the road: Unam Ikot is terrible. Sooth-stained body and wildness of twigs and unearthly sound and aggressive swagger. In the bush, Unam Ikot is even the king. Speaking and smelling and eating and moving like the bush. The bush understands that language and steers clear. Sorry, then, for the uninformed road. Unam Ikot rules here and there. 

If you meet Unam Ikot, that Great One may be talking, but don't think it's soliloquizing or phoning someone you cannot see. It may be talking to you or to the road. Listen well and you would realize the addressee. 

Ah, Unam Ikot is carrying and throwing so many rusted cutlasses at passerby. So, Unam Ikot is your terrorist, forest-dweller and manufacturer of fear? But these rusted cutlasses cut through false stereotypes about fear and living in fear.

First, Unam Ikot is not even happy that it has been forced to throw cutlasses. The cutlass is not its usual weapon. It prefers to carry a small bow with arrows. Say you know how to fly without perching and it will show you that it can shoot without missing. 

Anyway, you should know this. Unam Ikot is only staging the fight, only acting. But it is helpful to discern when it is acting and it is living the act. Otherwise, someone can get really injured. 

When they say that Ekpo rules the road, you want to go and try? Maybe to show that you are special. Ekpo rules the road especially when it is special! 

Those that refer to Ekpo as "Ekpo Calabar" are probably preparing to run or asking the masked one to throw rusty cutlasses at them. They are unlucky if Ekpo decides to use bow and arrows. Ekpo owns everywhere. It is a rusty head that does not know this. 

Now, this "Ekpo Calabar" offensive label. It true that that Ekpo can be found in Calabar metropolis but is not the only place that Ekpo emerges and rules the road. It is good to say that Calabar is one place that Ekpo swaggers. What of Ikot Ekpene? What of Oron? What of some parts of Igbo land? A rusty cutlass for anyone who ignores this. You are Unam Ikot! Indeed, the territory is vast and it is only for Ekpo to delimit it. 

He has taken all the insulting remarks on your behalf. Ekpo is "Unam Ikot" on your behalf and bears all your groaning, your anger, and your pains. Ekpo bears all your sounds and smells. Ekpo is your other you that has been suppressed and oppressed. Ekpo is you carrying rusted cutlasses and throwing them at insults. 

Now, who is following Ekpo and collecting for it? That masked being does not need to be followed, does not need supporters. 

Someone is also looking at Ekpo steadily in the eye! Is that how to enjoy the performance? It is that kind of inquisitive looking that caused the monkey to get a shot in the eye.  Looking is a mortal habit and should be done with caution, otherwise otherwise! When you look at Ekpo's eyes, don't you see blood dripping in place of tears? 

Looking for narratives in narrative would not let one enjoy the performance. It is better to look and shift gaze. The performance moves, flows, when you allow yourself to flow. 

Now, Ekpo leads the way. Now, Ekpo is leading and I am just following. It is not easy. Not easy running. Not easy following. One has to run to catch up with space in-between. One has to run to be with. If Ekpo follows and one is running, trouble. One would be forced to run to one's death. So, let Ekpo not command me to start running. It is not easy, honestly. 

Ekpo is the symbol. Ekpo is the meaning. Ekpo is the road to the road. Ekpo is the bush to the bush. Ekpo will not give up easily.