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Ekpe Society — a living tradition born at the Bight of Biafra.

Ekpe was invented by the people who landed at the Bight of Biafra in the third century AD in search of a place to settle. Today those people are known as the Manyu people. Some five hundred years later they came across other immigrants from the Congo Basin, the Barondo people.

The origin of Ekpe

How Ekpe travelled from Isangele.

North

As the Manyu people gradually moved North and abandoned the Isangele estuarine area, they introduced Ngbe to the new neighbors they came across.

South West

The south west movement continued until Ekpe reached Calabar through the Efut Tribe. As a matter of fact, the Efut tribe in Calabar originated from Isangele and Ekondo Titi Sub-Divisions in Ndian Division, South West Province, Cameroon.

West

Seafaring tribes from Ghana and Liberia transported it to their areas. It is said to have expanded into the muslim world of West Africa, into Mali and Mauritania.

3rd century AD

Settlers arriving at the Bight of Biafra, searching for a home, brought Ekpe into being. Their descendants are the Manyu people.

Five centuries later

They met other immigrants who had travelled from the Congo Basin — the Barondo people.

Living side by side

The two peoples lived alongside each other, with the Oroko people assimilating into the Manyu way of life and governance structure.

13th century — Esukutan

As the Manyu man began migrating into the hinterlands, they settled in Esukutan — known as the place where the leopard was found. From this they named their governance style "Ngbe", meaning leopard in the Ejagham language.

On to the Efik

The Barondo people had to buy Ngbe from the Ejagham, and later introduced it to the Efik in today's Cross River State of Nigeria.

Ngbe/Ekpe masqueraders in red regalia dancing before a gathered crowd
Masqueraders in performance at a lodge gathering.

Since 1996

Ngbe Americas, formerly MGBE USA, was established by Ekpe members from Cameroonian lodges living in the United States who were committed to preserving Ekpe as taught and practiced in Manyu Division and across Africa.

Our purpose

Ngbe Americas positions itself as a trusted cultural heritage organization dedicated to preserving, documenting, and advancing Ngbe/Ekpe traditions across generations and across the diaspora.

Where Ngbe lives

The identified locations where Ngbe is practiced today.

206 towns and villages recorded across Cameroon and Nigeria.

206 locations
Towns and villages where Ngbe/Ekpe is practiced today
Town / villageSub-divisionDivision / LGARegion / stateCountry
AdjeliUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
AgongUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
AkiribaUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
AmebisuUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
AshumUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Atibong WireUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Ayukaba BetiekuUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
BabatUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Bachuo AkagbeUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
BatambéUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
BakebeUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Bakumba BatiekuUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
BokwaUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
ChindaUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
DefangUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
EbangabiUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
EbeagwaUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
EbensukUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
EdjuingangUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
EgbemohUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
EkporUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
EtokoUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Etoko-MbatopUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Eyang AtemakoUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
FotabeUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
GurrifenUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
KekpotiUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
KendemUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
KenyangUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
KepelleUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
KoanoUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
MambohUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Mantah IUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Mantah IIUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Mbanga-PongoUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
MbemeUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
MbinjongUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
MbioUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
MekwechaUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
MoshieUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Nchemba IUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Nchemba IIUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
NfainchangUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
NfaitockUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
NtenmbangUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
NumbaUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Obang 3 CornersUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
SabsUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
SumbeUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Tali IUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Tali IIUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
TayorUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Tinto-KeriehUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
TakwaiUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Tinto-MbuUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
Tinto-WireUpper BanyangManyuSouthwestCameroon
MamfeMamfe CentralManyuSouthwestCameroon
Besong AbangMamfe CentralManyuSouthwestCameroon
NchangMamfe CentralManyuSouthwestCameroon
EshobiMamfe CentralManyuSouthwestCameroon
Bachuo NtaiMamfe CentralManyuSouthwestCameroon
OkoyongMamfe CentralManyuSouthwestCameroon
EgbekawMamfe CentralManyuSouthwestCameroon
EtemeteckMamfe CentralManyuSouthwestCameroon
Eyang NchangMamfe CentralManyuSouthwestCameroon
AbatEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
AbakpaEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
AkakEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
AkwaEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
AkwenEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
AyaokeEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
AfapEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
AjamanEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
AjayukndipEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
AyukabaEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
Agborkem GermanEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
Ayukaba NkonghoEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
AraruEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
BabongEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
BabiEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
BakogoEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
BakutEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
BajoEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
BasuEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
ByentiEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
Bayip AssibongEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
Bayip OssingEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
EbamEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
EbinsiEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
EkogateEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
EkokEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
Ekoneman AwaEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
Ekoneman OjongEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
EtikemEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
EwelleEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
Eyang ManghaEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
EyumojockEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
EsaghemEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
Formal EkogateEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
InokonEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
KembongEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
MbatopEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
MbakangEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
MbeyangEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
MbindaEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
Mbinda TabohEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
MbobuiEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
MbiofongEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
MkpotEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
MfuniEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
NdebayaEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
NdekwaiEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
NduapEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
NjekeEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
NsankangEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
NsanaragatiEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
OgomokoEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
OgurangEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
OkorobaEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
OkuriEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
OkurikangEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
OsseleEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
OssingEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
TalangayeEyumojockManyuSouthwestCameroon
KajifuAkwayaManyuSouthwestCameroon
ArochukuArochuku——Nigeria
ObikabiaUmuahia DistrictAba NorthAbiaNigeria
EziamaUmuahia DistrictAba NorthAbiaNigeria
UmuojimaUmuahia DistrictAba NorthAbiaNigeria
Ogbor HilOgbor Hill DistrictAba SouthAbiaNigeria
UmuochamOgbor Hill DistrictAba SouthAbiaNigeria
NdiegoroOgbor Hill DistrictAba SouthAbiaNigeria
UmuohiaUmuahia DistrictUmuahia NorthAbiaNigeria
AgbamaUmuahia DistrictUmuahia NorthAbiaNigeria
IbekuUmuahia DistrictUmuahia NorthAbiaNigeria
OlokoroUmuahia DistrictUmuahia SouthAbiaNigeria
IbereUmuahia DistrictUmuahia SouthAbiaNigeria
UmuezeUmuahia DistrictUmuahia SouthAbiaNigeria
UmuokwerreIsiala Ngwa DistrictIsiala Ngwa NorthAbiaNigeria
ObohiaIsiala Ngwa DistrictIsiala Ngwa NorthAbiaNigeria
OwazaIsiala Ngwa DistrictIsiala Ngwa NorthAbiaNigeria
OsisiomaIsiala Ngwa DistrictIsiala Ngwa SouthAbiaNigeria
AhiabaIsiala Ngwa DistrictIsiala Ngwa SouthAbiaNigeria
UmuahiaIsiala Ngwa DistrictIsiala Ngwa SouthAbiaNigeria
CalabarCalabar West DistrictCalabar SouthCross RiverNigeria
NkanoaCalabar West DistrictCalabar SouthCross RiverNigeria
Ikot AnsaCalabar West DistrictCalabar SouthCross RiverNigeria
Ekpo AbasiCalabar Central DistrictCalabar MunicipalCross RiverNigeria
AbarikpoCalabar Central DistrictCalabar MunicipalCross RiverNigeria
OkuronyangOdukpani DistrictOdukpaniCross RiverNigeria
Ikot OkonOdukpani DistrictOdukpaniCross RiverNigeria
UgepUgep DistrictYakurrCross RiverNigeria
InyimaUgep DistrictYakurrCross RiverNigeria
AbanyomUgep DistrictYakurrCross RiverNigeria
AfiaBiase DistrictBiaseCross RiverNigeria
AkpetBiase DistrictBiaseCross RiverNigeria
Igbo NjaBiase DistrictBiaseCross RiverNigeria
Ikom TownIkom DistrictIkomCross RiverNigeria
IkpeIkom DistrictIkomCross RiverNigeria
NdeguIkom DistrictIkomCross RiverNigeria
Uyo TownUyo Central DistrictUyoAkwa IbomNigeria
Ikot EkpeneUyo Central DistrictUyoAkwa IbomNigeria
EtoiUyo Central DistrictUyoAkwa IbomNigeria
Ikot AbasiIkot Ekpene DistrictIkot EkpeneAkwa IbomNigeria
Ikot NyaIkot Ekpene DistrictIkot EkpeneAkwa IbomNigeria
Ikot EtimIkot Ekpene DistrictIkot EkpeneAkwa IbomNigeria
Eket TownEket DistrictEketAkwa IbomNigeria
IkoEket DistrictEketAkwa IbomNigeria
IfaEket DistrictEketAkwa IbomNigeria
Abak TownAbak DistrictAbakAkwa IbomNigeria
Ikot AkpanAbak DistrictAbakAkwa IbomNigeria
Ikot ObongAbak DistrictAbakAkwa IbomNigeria
Etim Ekpo TownEtim Ekpo DistrictEtim EkpoAkwa IbomNigeria
Ikot UdoEtim Ekpo DistrictEtim EkpoAkwa IbomNigeria
Ikot AbasiEtim Ekpo DistrictEtim EkpoAkwa IbomNigeria
IkonoIkono DistrictIkonoAkwa IbomNigeria
UruaIkono DistrictIkonoAkwa IbomNigeria
Nto EdinoIkono DistrictIkonoAkwa IbomNigeria
Nsit TownNsit Atai DistrictNsit AtaiAkwa IbomNigeria
AfahaNsit Atai DistrictNsit AtaiAkwa IbomNigeria
Ikot AbasiNsit Atai DistrictNsit AtaiAkwa IbomNigeria
Onna TownOnna DistrictOnnaAkwa IbomNigeria
Ikot AkpaOnna DistrictOnnaAkwa IbomNigeria
NsitOnna DistrictOnnaAkwa IbomNigeria
OwerriOwerri DistrictOwerri MunicipalImoNigeria
AladinmaOwerri DistrictOwerri MunicipalImoNigeria
IkenegbuOwerri DistrictOwerri MunicipalImoNigeria
AkwakumaOwerri West DistrictOwerri WestImoNigeria
AmakohiaOwerri West DistrictOwerri WestImoNigeria
UmugumaOwerri West DistrictOwerri WestImoNigeria
ObinzeOwerri North DistrictOwerri NorthImoNigeria
UmuokanneOwerri North DistrictOwerri NorthImoNigeria
IkeduruIkeduru DistrictIkeduruImoNigeria
AwaIkeduru DistrictIkeduruImoNigeria
Mbaitoli TownMbaitoli DistrictMbaitoliImoNigeria
UmudimMbaitoli DistrictMbaitoliImoNigeria
EzialaMbaitoli DistrictMbaitoliImoNigeria
NgorNgor Okpala DistrictNgor OkpalaImoNigeria
UmuikeNgor Okpala DistrictNgor OkpalaImoNigeria
UmunekeNgor Okpala DistrictNgor OkpalaImoNigeria
NjabaNjaba DistrictNjabaImoNigeria
OkwudorNjaba DistrictNjabaImoNigeria
UmuezeNjaba DistrictNjabaImoNigeria
UmukotoEhime Mbano DistrictEhime MbanoImoNigeria
IhitteEhime Mbano DistrictEhime MbanoImoNigeria
UmuduruEhime Mbano DistrictEhime MbanoImoNigeria
An eagle and a leopard, emblems of Ngbe authority

Emblems

The leopard and the eagle.

The leopard stands at the heart of Ngbe/Ekpe identity, and the eagle marks the organization's presence in the Americas — together they express a heritage carried from Manyu Division into diaspora leadership.