Discord and harmony in Calabar: a study of intergroup relations, 1904 –2010

Abstract

Before colonialism became firmly implanted in these parts of Nigeria Calabar has been the home-land of the Akin (Qua), Efut and Efik. The Akin (Qua) dwelled in the interior while the Efik occupied the coastal plains of the Calabar River. The Efut inhabit the forest and enclaves to the south of Old Calabar. All were settled on a contiguous expanse of territory by which provision they interacted with each other politically, socially, economically and culturally. Their dispersed settlements and separation physically by thick forests, swamps and steep valleys notwithstanding, this proved rather healthy for meaningful relationship than is usually conceded by some scholars. British imposition of colonial rule in the area in the 1890s brought these culturally distinct ethnic nationalities under one Native Administration. This episode irrevocably changed the fortunes of these ethnic components in Calabar. As such, the paper examines the relations, which has existed between these groups from 1904 to the year 2010. It argues that relations were mostly cordial as no inter-ethnic war has been recorded amongst them; but less often boisterous and tense. These relations are analysed against popular views that multiculturalism is a drag on African development using historical and interdisciplinary tools of inquiry. The paper relied on both primary and secondary sources of information for data to pursue its set goals.

Keywords: Harmony, Discord, Calabar, Intergroup and Relations