Calendar
Ekpiri Akata – January – March
This is a public outing meant to expose anti-social behaviors through songs sung mainly at night by masked performers. It is common in Itu and Uruan.
Mbre Mmong- Mid-January-Mid-March
This is a biannual aquatic festival connected with a fertility cult and ancestral worship in Nsit Ubium. The celebration is accompanied by a Boat regatta.
Usoro Ubine Ikot- February / March
It is a- hunting expedition and lifting of sanctions on seven-year fallow farmlands for cultivation in Ikono-Ndiya.
Ekpe Outings – March / early August
A feast for protection of farm crops and domestic animals. They are displayed by beautiful masquerades. It is celebrated by Uruan and Oron people.
Ekong Festival – Mid-June – End of September
A feast for protection of farm crops and domestic animals. They are displayed by beautiful masquerades. It is celebrated by Uruan and Oron people.
Feat of Etefia Deity – July / August
A clan celebration of appeasement and thanksgiving to the communal deity of Uyo, Ikono and people in Ini Local Government Areas.
New Yam Festival – July / August
A thanksgiving feast to the gods and ancestors for yam harvest in Ikot Ekpene, Ikono, Nsit Ubium, Ibino etc.
Usoro Abasi – August
Thanksgiving and appeasement of the communal gods before the celebration of the New Yam in Ikono.
Feast of Anyan – July / August
For appeasement of the communal deity of Otoro clan in Ikot Ekpene.
Eset (Ise) Feast – July / August
A feast to pay tribute to the warriors in Ukana Clan.
Iso Awa-Itam feast – July, August / December
A thanksgiving and appeasement celebration to the deity of Awa Itam. An occasion to mark clan re-union.
Atakpo festival – August / September
Annual feast and ritual worship in honour of Uruan clan deity. It is accompanied by masquerade displays and merry making.
Ikon (Melon)Festival and Ebre (water yam festival) – August / September
Thanksgiving for a good year’s harvest of melon and water yam accompanied by dances and music.
Ekong Nkemba – August
Annual celebration in honour of the ancestors of Idu, Uruan and Mbiakong people.
Usoro Ekpo – August
In remembrance of the ancestors and gods of the land. A full month’s celebration, this feast is associated with the Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, Ibibio and Annang peoples.
Mkpi Ekpo, Udara Idem and Ekpo Ndok – October – November
This is a feast to mark the end of planting and farming season. It is a purification ceremony which involves masquerade displays and dances. This feast is common among Annang and Ibibio people.
Obodom Eyong (Drum in the Sky festival) – November
A thanksgiving ritual to the gods performed once every seven years, in Ikono and Afaha Obong.
Nkuku Atan – November
Period of appeasement and thanksgiving to the gods and communal deity by Ibiakpan clan in Nsit Ubium.
Nkim-Eyong festival – November / December
Biannual feast for the appeasement of the gods and ancestors during the time of harvest at Idu-Uruan.
Mbok and Nkwobo – December
Traditional wrestling festival celebration organized to commemorate the outing ceremony of young maidens in Oron/Oruku areas.
Oko festival – No particular time
This is a burial or coronation celebration of chiefs, and great warriors of Adiasim community.
Mfuuho – December
A State festival of masquerades privately organized annually.