A Survey of Ibibio and Efik Cultural and Creative Industries in Global Development (1928 to the present)

Abstract

The Ibibio is the fourth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, after the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. Findings show that the Ibibio constitute the earliest inhabitants of the southern part of the country, having existed in their present geographical location since 700 BC. History has it that Efik is a subset of the Ibibio. The Ibibio tribe has a vibrant cultural identity, encompassing various aspects of daily life, traditions, and rituals. The Ibibio people are renowned for their artistic skills and craftsmanship. At the heart of this cultural endowment are sculptors, raffia-weavers, pottery makers, storytellers, filmmakers, musicians, artists, fashion designers, and content. In recent times, these creatives' contributions and the impact of their cultural and creative industries have been recognised, with the creative industries emerging as a critical driver of the 21st-century economy and social life. The study draws from Kurt Goldstein’s Self-Actualisation Theory to explore the cultural and creative industries of the Ibibio and the Efik people, their various manifestations, the key drivers of the Ibibio creative renaissance, the critical milestones, and the realization of their creative and cultural potentials between 1928 and the present. The Dependency Theory provides insight into social factors within the global community, and how they influence the Ibibio creative economy. The study concluded that the Ibibio/Efik cultural industries and creative industries have contributed immensely to the development of the nation and the global economy in diverse ways. Recommendations are made for harnessing the creative industries for more development dividends.