| Group: | Ekpo Society |
| Native Name: | Ekpo |
| Regions: | Ibibio people, Efik people, Igbo people |
Ekpo (Ghost) is a cultural society art form that originates from the Efik, Ibibio and Annang peoples in the Cross River/Akwa Ibom in Southern Nigeria. The practice was also adopted by neighboring regions, namely Arochukwu and Ohafia (Abia state) during the expansion of the Aro-Kingdom.[1] [2] [3]
The Ekpo same in meaning as Ekpe, Okpo-owo or Akpo-owo as pronounced by the Efik, Ibibio and Annang peoples simply describe it as a non-living human or a dead soul that comes to the land of the living.[4]
In Akwa Ibom, the Ekpo masquerade is practiced by almost all its towns, especially during its festivals at Ikot Ekpene, Etim Ekpo, Oruk Anam and Abak as well as the Eket and some other places in the Ibibio land.[5]
Owing to the advent of Christianity and modern civilization, the Ekpo masquerade is no longer regarded as dead souls that come back to the land of the living; instead, it is now known to be costumes worn by living humans and is regarded as an integral part of the culture and heritage of the people.[6]