Akwa Ibom Isong-ooo!

All traditional games that are indigenous to Akwa Ibom people are a reflection of their traditional and cultural history, societal role, and norms of the people. Apart from their recreational aims, Akwa Ibom traditional games seek to inculcate good moral values, resilience in the face of strong opposition, honesty, respect for superiors, skills and production of socially fit and well mannered citizens.

Above all, since these games are played in participation of large audiences, they afford the opportunity for family, village and communal contract. Some of these games include;

EFAK
Two or more children on molded sand play Efak. Efak, a ring-like object of about six centimeters in diameter made from Piassava or broom-stick is inserted into the sand mould. The players take their turns in clockwise succession to bring out the hidden object using either sticks or their fore-fingers. Whoever succeeds in bringing out the Efak is the winner. However, if finally all the players are unable to find the Efak including the caster, the caster becomes the looser.

NSA ISONG
This is a traditional game that is also known and practiced internationally. In general, since these games are played with the participation of a large audience, they afford the opportunity for family, village and communal contacts. Indeed, Akwa Ibom State has a lot to offer the world in entertainment, cuisines, arts, craft, traditional games, festivals and historical sites of tourist interest.

Uko
This is a children and youth game involving two or more pebbles or shelled palm kernels that are cast on the floor. Each player in turn selects his or her Obong (KING), starts by throwing Obong into the air ensuring that he picks the Ndito Nsa (pawns) from the floor to catch the king before the king drops on the ground.

It is repeated by picking the pawns in twos, threes, etc. the game is lost when the king falls on the ground before completion of a turn or the player is unable to pick all the pawns at a given turn.

Nyod
This is basically a marksmanship game by both adults and children of both sexes though it is only popular with children today. Nyod is played by two players each with four Nyods, that is the seed of Nyod; or each player uses the seed of rubber as a set of pawns.

A common Obong (KING) is used in turns to dismantle the opponents’ king. There after the pawns are targeted individually or collectively. The loser is the player who losses all his pawns to the opponents strikes.

Mkpoketo
This is a game of concentration and cooperation. Children play it. Four or more children sit in a circular formation in the open. The starter player keeps all the Eto (sticks of about 15 centimeters long) that are of the same number with the players. The song Mkpok Eto is raised. The starter releases the stick in consonance with the rhythm of the song.

In the process of the merry-go-round, whenever a players hand cadence falls out of rhythm with the song, two or more Eto (sticks) will lie before him and he is eliminated. One stick is then taken out. The elimination process continues until the winner emerges.