Efik religion: Difference between revisions

The '''Efik religion''' is based on the [[Tradition|traditional]] [[Belief|beliefs]] of the [[Efik people]] of southern Nigeria. The traditional religious beliefs of the Efik are not systemised into a logical [[orthodoxy]] but consists of diverse conceptions such as worship of the supreme God, [[Ancestor|ancestral]] veneration, cleansing rituals and funeral rites.<ref name="auto14">[[#refSimmons1958|Simmons]], p.346</ref>

[[Religion]] for the Efik consisted of showing respect for God by avoiding sins such as adultery, murder, theft, false witness, and work on the day sacred to God. In addition, it included respect for ancestors and supernatural powers.<ref name="auto14"/> The Efik people believe in a supreme being known as Abasi or Abasi Ibom.<ref name="auto">[[#refWalker1877|Walker]], p.122</ref> Other variations of the name Abasi may also be found across the lower Cross River region such as Obase, Ovase and Obassi Nsi. Apart from the belief in a supreme being, the Efik also believe in water spirits or [[Deity|deities]] known as {{lang|efi|Ndem}} which are believed to mainly reside in the water.<ref name="auto1">[[#refHackett1989|Hackett]], p.28</ref> The singular of [[Added wiki link|Ndem]] is Idem but Ndem may be worshipped as a single deity or a host of deities.<ref name="auto3">[[#refAye1991|Aye]], A Learner's Dictionary, p.28</ref>

The Efik people believe in one God known as Abasi who is believed to dwell in the sky and is the source of life and death.<ref name="auto4">[[#refHackett1989|Hackett]], p.32</ref> Abasi is also known as Abasi Ibom where the appended word "Ibom" signifies greatness.<ref name="auto"/> Writers such as James Walker and Rev. Hugh Goldie attest that the word "Ibom" is only ever applied to two objects i.e the Sea ({{lang|efi|Inyañ}}) and Abasi.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto5">[[#refGoldie1862|Goldie]], p.114</ref> During the pre-Christian days of the Efik society, [[Worship]] of Abasi took place on ''Akwa Ederi'' which was one of the days of the week.<ref name="auto6">[[#refAmakuVol11948|Amaku]], p.1</ref> According to Simmons, "No washing of clothes, marketing, fishing, hunting, or drumming was permitted on akwa ederi, the day of the eight day week sacred to God, People remained inside the house and rested, or feasted and visited friends* Efik never commenced a war or fought a battle on "Calabar Sunday" as the day was known to early European traders."<ref name="auto11">[[#refSimmons1958|Simmons]], p.347</ref> Abasi was worshipped in front of {{lang|efi|Isu Abasi}} which is described as, "a little mud hut as an altar in the middle of the yard in which are placed plates, bones etc."<ref name="auto7">[[#refAye1991|Aye]], A Learner's Dictionary, p.58</ref>