Creek Town also known as Obio Oko is a town located in the present-day Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River state of Nigeria.[1] Creek Town is known for its historical and cultural significance in the region.[2] It is situated about 8 miles (13 km) Northeast from Duke Town.[3] Creek Town was one of the city-states that made up the Old Calabar region prior to the August 1, 1904 declaration which annulled the use of the name "Old Calabar" and changed the regional name to simply "Calabar".[4][5]
History
The town has a rich history dating back to the pre-colonial era when it served as a major trading post during the transatlantic trade.[6] Creek Town was an important center for trade and commerce due to its strategic location along the river. The town played a significant role in the economic and cultural exchanges between local communities and foreign traders.[7][8]
Early History
It is uncertain the year Creek Town was founded. Chief Efiong Ukpong Aye estimates the period in which Creek Town was founded as early as the 14th century.[9] A.J.H. Latham estimates that Creek Town was founded about the end of the sixteenth century.[10] Talbot estimates the Occupation of Creek Town to the first half of the 17th century.[11] The indigenes of Creek Town are the Efik and the Efut. A number of accounts regarding the founding of Creek Town were narrated at the 1964 Hart's enquiry. One account states that the Efut community which form part of the Bantu stock arrived the lower Cross River in droves with the Adadia community first settling at Creek Town. The Adadia community were later driven away on the arrival of one group of the Efik who exited the island of Ndodoghi due to multiple deaths on the island. The families that made up the Efik group were the Efiom Ekpos' and the Atais'. Another account by Muri Hogan Efiong asserts that the Efuts were the earliest settlers followed by the Efik.[12]
Triangular trade to 1841
Creek Town like many other coastal communities in West Africa was a major slave trading port during the period of the Triangular slave trade. The principal slave traders were the Efik as there is no evidence to suggest that the Efut Abua community partook in the exportation of slaves.
1841 to 1884
The year 1841 marked a political change in the history of Creek Town and Old Calabar in general. Eyo Honesty II was the reigning king of Creek town and one of the most important men in old Calabar. Although the slave trade was abolished in the international community in 1812, exportation of slaves from Old Calabar was still on-going until Commander Raymond arrived with documents insisting the kings and chiefs stop the exportation of slaves from Old Calabar. These documents were signed by King Eyo Honesty II and King Eyamba V. Realising the need to transition into new economic ventures, Honesty II and Eyamba V sent numerous letters to the captains of liverpool and other supercargo captains requesting that they send teachers and missionaries to Old Calabar to teach them commerce and religion. The request of the kings and chiefs of Old Calabar was heard and missionaries were sent to Old Calabar. The earliest missionaries of the United church of scotland mission arrived in 1846. On their arrival, a school was set up at Creek Town. The missionaries made efforts to change several religious practices which took place at Old Calabar. Religious reforms occurred at a faster pace in Creek Town than other Old Calabar communities due to liberal attitude of Honesty II. Under the reign of Honesty II, the symbol of the Ekpenyong deity was banished from the community.
1885 to 1960
With the inception of the Colonial government, the towns of Old Calabar were reorganised and two separate divisions i.e Creek Town and Old Calabar were formed.[13] The Creek Town division consisted of Creek Town, Mbiabo, Adiabo and Ibonda while the Old Calabar division consisted of Duke Town, Henshaw Town, Cobham Town and Aqua town.
Culture
Creek Town has preserved its cultural heritage through generations. The town's festivals, traditional music, and dance forms are celebrated and practiced by the local community. The annual Creek Festival showcases a vibrant display of traditional dances, colorful costumes, and local cuisine.[14]
Talbot, Percy Amaury (1969), The People of Southern Nigeria: a sketch of their history, ethnology and languages, with an abstract of the 1921 census, vol. 1, London: Frank Cass & Co. OCLC716063900
Bold, Edward (1823) [1819], Merchant's and Mariner's African Guide: containing an accurate description of the coast, bays, harbours and adjacent islands of West Africa, Salem: Cushing & Appleton OCLC28711857
Nair, Kannan K. (1972), Politics and Society in South Eastern Nigeria, 1841–1906: A Study of Power, Diplomacy and Commerce in Old Calabar, London: Frank Cass, ISBN0-7146-2296-6
Simmons, Donald C. (1958). Analysis of the Reflection of Culture in Efik folktales (PhD). Yale University.
Aye, Efiong U. (1967), Old Calabar through the centuries, Calabar: Hope Waddell Press OCLC476222042
Simmons, Donald C. (1968) [1st pub. 1956], "An Ethnographic Sketch of the Efik people", in Forde, Daryll (ed.), Efik Traders of Old Calabar, London: Dawsons of Pall Mall OCLC67514086
Hart, A. Kalada (1964), Report of the Enquiry into the Dispute Over the Obongship of Calabar, Enugu: The Government Printer OCLC32857131
Bold, Edward (1823) [1819], Merchant's and Mariner's African Guide: containing an accurate description of the coast, bays, harbours and adjacent islands of West Africa, Salem: Cushing & Appleton OCLC28711857
Aye, Efiong U. (2000), The Efik People, Calabar: Glad Tidings Press Ltd., ISBN978-30541-3-9
Daniell, W.F. (1848). "On the Natives of Old Callebar, West Coast of Africa". Journal of the Ethnological Society of London (1848–1856). 1: 210–227. doi:10.2307/3014087. JSTOR3014087.
