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18-787: The Aro-Ibibio Wars were a series of conflicts between the Aro people (subgroup of the Igbo ) and the Obong Okon Ita clan in present-day Southeastern Nigeria in the Ibom Kingdom from 1630 to 1902. These wars led to the foundation of the Arochukwu kingdom. Before Igbo arrival in the Aro territory, a group of proto Ibibio migrated to the area and established the Ibom Kingdom during

36-568: A few smaller rivers. At its mouth in the Atlantic Ocean , the estuary is 24 kilometres (15 mi) wide. The eastern side of the estuary is in the neighboring country of Cameroon. The major tributary of Cross River is the river Aloma, coming from Benue State to merge with Cross River in Cross River State. Cross River State is connected with a major highway to its sister state Akwa Ibom . The distance between Oron and Calabar

54-582: A rich tradition. One factor is the Ekpe society which is a sacred society originally from east of the Cross River. The highly religious and judicial society took a major part in Aro society. The use of the writing system, Nsibidi , was based on secret societies like Ekpe. Uli , another writing system, occurred mostly in the form of body art. Another factor is the Chukwu Abiama Temple, which

72-478: Is 21 kilometres (13 mi) by boat and about 200 kilometres (120 mi) by road. The population of the lower Cross River traditionally use water transport and Calabar has long had a major seaport , in the Calabar River about 10 kilometres (6 mi) from its confluence with the Cross River and about 55 kilometres (34 mi) from the sea. The Itu bridge on the Cross River is along Itu-Calabar highway and

90-771: Is reported to be one of the landmark achievements of the Gowon administration when it was completed in 1975. The Cross River forms a boundary between two tropical moist forest ecoregions : the Cross-Niger transition forests , which lie west of the river between the Cross and Niger Rivers, and the Cross-Sanaga-Bioko coastal forests , which lie to the east between the Cross River and the Sanaga River of Cameroon. The average annual rainfall varies from 1,760 mm in

108-622: The Aro Confederacy as a regional economic power. However, Aro economic hegemony was threatened by the penetration of Europeans , mainly British colonists towards the end of the 19th century. Tensions finally led to bloodshed, and the Anglo-Aro war took place from 1901 to 1902. The Aro Confederacy stoutly resisted but eventually suffered defeat. This helped the British to occupy the rest of what became Eastern Nigeria. The Aros have

126-561: The Bantu expansion . This proto Ibibio group originally came from Usak Edet ( Isanguele ), a segment of the Ejagham in present-day Southern Cameroon . The Eze Agwu clan from Abiriba , initiated Igbo migration into the region around the mid-17th century. The Ibibio clan welcomed all until some started rebelling against the ruling house. The Eze Awgu group who lead the rebellion against the ruling family aligned with several outside forces like

144-537: The palm oil and slave trade was popular in the hinterland. By the mid-18th century, there were mass migrations of Aro businessmen to the Igbo hinterland and adjacent areas. This migration, influence of their god Chukwu Abiama through priests, and their military power supported by alliances with several related neighboring Igbo and eastern Cross River militarized states (particularly Ohafia , Abam , Ihechiowa , Abiriba , Nkporo , Afikpo , Ekoi , etc.) quickly established

162-517: The Aro region started in the mid-17th century. These Igbo migrants were resisted by the indigenous proto Ibibios. The Aro-Ibibio Wars and the migration of the Akpa from east of the Cross River, formed the nation during the turning point of the 17th century to the 18th century. The Efik were originally from the Ibom Kingdom and might have left before or during the Aro-Ibibio Wars. By this time,

180-666: The Arochukwu-Ibibio boundaries. Aro people The history of the Aros predates Igbo migration and founding of the kingdom of Arochukwu. During the Bantu expansion , a group of Proto Ibibio migrated to the area and established the Mbot Abasi Kingdom . The Proto Ibibio group originally came from Usak Edet ( Isanguele ), a segment of the Ejagham in present-day Southern Cameroon. Igbo migrations led by Eze Agwu from Abiriba and Nnachi from Edda migrated into

198-573: The Igbo subgroup and Ibibio. The Eze Agwu/Nnachi faction decided to help Akakpokpo attempt to overthrow his brother king Akpan Okon . The coup was heavily resisted which called for even more help. Through Nnachi, an Eastern Cross river group answered the call for help. They were known as the Akpa who were living at today Akwa Akpa before the arrival of the Efik people in that region. These warriors and traders, may have had European guns which were new to

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216-704: The Priest Nnachi from the Edda group near Afikpo , was called by their king Awgu Inobia (Eze Agwu) for help. When he arrived, Nnachi and Eze Agwu allied with prince Akakpokpo Okon of the Ibibio kingdom of Ibom Kingdom. Akakpokpo Okon was the son of a marriage between an Igbo woman of the Eze Agwu clan and the King Obong Okon Ita in an attempt of a peace treaty for a war that have been fought between

234-471: The northern part of the state to 3,100 mm in the southern part (WSSSRP II 2016). Cross River also gives its name to a national park and a family of languages . The Cross River Region is of great historical importance, being a) within the likely homeland from which Bantu speaking people migrated across most of Sub-Saharan Africa 3000–5000 years ago, b) the location of where the Nsibidi Script

252-476: The sea it flows through swampy rainforest with numerous creeks and forms an inland delta near its confluence with the Calabar River , about 20 kilometres (12 mi) wide and 50 kilometres (31 mi) long between the cities of Oron on the west bank and Calabar , on the east bank, more than 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the open sea. The delta empties into a broad estuary which it shares with

270-585: The territory. Being the Igbo allies, the Akpas were led by the royal Nnubi family. Osim and Akuma Nnubi led Akpa soldiers to help fight against the ruling household. Together with Igbo forces and rebels, they fought against the worriors of the Obong Okon Ita clan (1690). During the final battles, Osim Nnubi was slain in Oror city state making it the capital of Arochukwu. At the end of the war, Osim and Akakpokpo were dead. In order to honor Osim's legacy, his brother Akuma

288-430: Was crowned the first EzeAro (king). After his death, Nnachi's descendants took the throne starting with his first son Oke Nnachi . The Arochukwu kingdom, was founded. After Arochukwu was formed, it began to expand because of the growing population and territorial protection. Ibibio groups sporadically attacked Arochukwu shortly after its formation. Aro forces formed vigilante camps which eventually grew into communities on

306-462: Was mediated by the Aro priesthood. They influenced neighbors and allies before the British invasion and destruction of the Chukwu Abiama Temple and Aro priesthood. The Ekeleke masquerade activity was important in Aro settlements. Brought from the Aros in the western Niger Delta, it eventually spread to the Oguta area. They also were known for wearing the popular "George" cloth. The Ikperikpe warrior dance

324-577: Was very famous among warriors in the old days and continues to be in use. Cross River (Nigeria) Cross River (native name: Oyono ) is the main river in southeastern Nigeria and gives its name to Cross River State . It originates in Cameroon , where it takes the name of the Manyu River . Although not long by African standards its catchment has high rainfall and it becomes very wide. Over its last 80 kilometres (50 mi) to

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