Ngbe

E946636

Ngbe is a traditional West African secret society, also known as Ekpe, that plays a central role in social, political, and spiritual life among several Cross River and coastal communities.

All labels observed (1)

Label Occurrences
Ngbe canonical 1

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (58)

Predicate Object
instanceOf cultural organization
secret society
traditional institution
alsoKnownAs Ekpe NERFINISHED
associatedWithDeityOrSpirit leopard spirit
associatedWithEthnicGroup Bahumono people NERFINISHED
Balondo people NERFINISHED
Cameroonian coastal groups
Efik people NERFINISHED
Ejagham people NERFINISHED
Ibibio people NERFINISHED
Oron people NERFINISHED
Qua people NERFINISHED
associatedWithRegion Cross River region NERFINISHED
coastal communities of the Bight of Biafra
southeastern Nigeria
southwestern Cameroon
associatedWithSymbol leopard
secret writing nsibidi
wooden drum
continuesIn contemporary Cross River communities
enforces fines and sanctions for offenders
governs oaths and pledges among members
hasAlternativeName Egbo NERFINISHED
Ekpo Ngbe NERFINISHED
Ngbe society NERFINISHED
hasCharacteristic esoteric knowledge
graded levels of initiation
hierarchical structure
restricted membership
hasFunction conflict resolution
control of trade and markets
enforcement of laws and sanctions
initiation and socialization of members
judicial authority
maintenance of social hierarchy
protection of community interests
regulation of community norms
regulation of land and property disputes
ritual mediation with spirits
historicalPeriod precolonial era
historicalRole organization of canoe houses and trading corporations
regulation of Atlantic coastal trade
influenced Afro-Cuban Abakuá society NERFINISHED
Caribbean secret societies
membershipType male-only in most communities
playsRoleIn political life
social life
spiritual life
practicedIn West Africa NERFINISHED
typeOfRitual funerary rites for members
initiation rites
public masquerade performances
usesMedium chanting
drumming
masquerades
secret signs and symbols
usesScript Nsibidi NERFINISHED

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.