Ekpe Ekpe



ekpe ekoi skin covered head dress


ekpe mysterious spirit supposed live in jungle , preside @ ceremonies of society. members of ekpe society said act messengers of ancestors (ikan). economics of society based on paying tribute village ancestors. males can join, boys being initiated age of puberty. members bound oath of secrecy, , fees on entrance payable. ekpe-men ranked in 7 or 9 grades, promotion each of fresh initiation ceremonies, fees , oaths necessary. society combines kind of freemasonry political , lawenforcing aims. instance member wronged in ekpe district, 1 dominated society, has address ekpe-man or beat ekpe drum in ekpe-house, or blow ekpe called, i.e., sound ekpe horn, before hut of wrong-doer, , whole machinery of society put in force see justice done. ekpe members wear masks when performing police duties, , although individuals may nonetheless recognized, fear of retribution ikan stops people accusing members may overstep limits. formerly society earned bad reputation due british viewed barbarous customs intermingled rites.







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