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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Culture / Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script (51864 Views)
History Of Nsibidi The Ancient Igbo Alphabets Britain Destroyed Ibo Civilization / Where Is The Origin Of The "Nsibidi" Form Of Writing? / Original Nigerian Inhabitants? (2) (3) (4)
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Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by christopher123(m): 10:14am On Nov 18, 2014 |
WISE MEN WILL ALWAYS COME FROM THE EAST, THE IGBO HAD THEIR BANKING SYSTEMS, WRITING SYSTEM, POLITICAL SYSTEM AND EVEN JUDICIARY SYSTEM DIFFERENT FROM THE WHITES AND NO WONDER THEY WERE NOT COLONISED DIRECTLY UNLIKE OTHER NIGERIRIANS THEY EVEN FOUGHT WARS WITH THE COLONIALS LIKE ARO WARS AND EKUMEKU WARS I KNOW ABOUT THE NSIBIDI WRITING MissMeiya: 4 Likes |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by lekinz(m): 10:14am On Nov 18, 2014 |
Okay..... But what the hell does that mean .... Cos am from Italy |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by festwiz(m): 10:16am On Nov 18, 2014 |
Make i break leg if i read this post |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by henryobinna(m): 10:18am On Nov 18, 2014 |
wow... Missmeiya you finally made fp. its worth it sha |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by Nobody: 10:18am On Nov 18, 2014 |
. |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by christopher123(m): 10:19am On Nov 18, 2014 |
Nsibidi is a system of symbols indigenous to what is now southeastern Nigeria that is apparently an ideographic script, though there have been suggestions that it includes logographic elements. The symbols are at least several centuries old: Early forms appeared on excavated pottery as well as what are most likely ceramic stools and headrests from the Calabar region, with a range of dates from 400 to 1400 CE. There are thousands of nsibidi symbols, of which over 500 have been recorded. They were once taught in a school to children. Many of the signs deal with love affairs; those that deal with warfare and the sacred are kept secret. Nsibidi is used on wall designs, calabashes, metals, leaves, swords, and tattoos. It is primarily used by the Ekpe leopard secret society, which is found across Cross River among the Ekoi, Efik, Igbo people, and other nearby peoples. Outside knowledge of nsibidi came in 1904 when T.D. Maxwell noticed the symbols. Before the British colonisation of the area, nsibidi was divided into a sacred version and a public, more decorative version which could be used by women. There are thousands of nsibidi symbols, of which over 500 have been recorded. They were once taught in a school to children. Many of the signs deal with love affairs; those that deal with warfare and the sacred are kept secret.[7] Nsibidi is used on wall designs, calabashes, metals (such as bronze), leaves, swords, and tattoos.[2][8] It is primarily used by the Ekpe leopard secret society (also known as Ngbe or Egbo), which is found across Cross River among the Ekoi, Efik, Igbo people, and other nearby peoples. Outside knowledge of nsibidi came in 1904 when T.D. Maxwell noticed the symbols.[4] Before the British colonisation of the area, nsibidi was divided into a sacred version and a public, more decorative version which could be used by women.[8] Aspects of colonisation such as Western education and Christian doctrine drastically reduced the number of nsibidi-literate people, leaving the secret society members as some of the last literate in the symbols.[9] Nsibidi was and is still a means of transmitting Ekpe symbolism. Nsibidi was transported to Cuba and Haiti via the Atlantic slave trade, where it developed into the anaforuana and veve symbols.[10][11] Court Cases - "Ikpe"[edit] The Ikpe from Enyong written in nsibidi as recorded by J. K. Macgregor Nsibidi was used in judgement cases known as 'Ikpe' in some Cross River communities. Macgregor was able to retrieve and translate an nsibidi record from Enyong of an ikpe judgement. The record is of an Ikpe or judgement case. (a) The court was held under a tree as is the custom, (b) the parties in the case, (c) the chief who judged it, (d) his staff (these are enclosed in a circle), (e) is a man whispering into the ear of another just outside the circle of those concerned, (f) denotes all the members of the party who won the case. Two of them (g) are embracing, (h) is a man who holds a cloth between his finger and thumbs as a sign of contempt. He does not care for the words spoken. The lines round and twisting mean that the case was a difficult one which the people of the town could not judge for themselves. So they sent to the surrounding towns to call the wise men from them and the case was tried by them (j) and decided; (k) denotes that the case was one of adultery or No. 20.[15] 2 Likes
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Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by abachaphilo(m): 10:23am On Nov 18, 2014 |
LET ME GO HOME AM COMING |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by Talkcentral: 10:27am On Nov 18, 2014 |
umm...soldiers PHOTO: Soldiers Protecting Ali Modu Sheriff in Borno State >>>http://www..com.ng/soldiers-protecting-ali-modu-sheriff/ |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by Slickest(m): 10:31am On Nov 18, 2014 |
Kilo ko wa bayi?... Its nice 2 know we av such in naija buh who cares.....? Do u..? |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by paulshakur: 10:39am On Nov 18, 2014 |
Good to know |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by Heart2heart(m): 10:40am On Nov 18, 2014 |
I prefer NokiaTorch to Blackberry Torch here in China. |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by Nobody: 10:42am On Nov 18, 2014 |
Fulaman198: I'm equally jealous of scripts like Hindi Devanagarii (अब, दुख की महान सत्य है), Eastern African Ge'ez (አስምዕኩ፡ቃላተ፡ነቢይነ፡ለንቡራነ፡ሀገርየ፡ወባሔቱ፡ኢየብከይዎሙ።), alphabets Greek (Το αρχαιότερο όνομα της περιοχής αυτής), Cyrillic (Древнее название этой области), Korean hangul (이 지역 의 고대 이름), Japanese hana (この地域の古代の名前), and all the alphabets, syllabaries, and logograms inbetween. And of course, the Chinese logographic system (该地区的古名), which is closest to what Nsibidi was meant to be, if it had been developed. Not only are they beautiful, but they are a strong symbol of national identity. Do you know, I'm working on a project that requires me to find elements and symbols that Nigerians can universally identify with. Something that wordlessly says "Nigeria". And I can't find a single thing. I've been mashing up Yoruba-Igbo-Hausa words, studying the national coat of arms, searching for a national monument--I even resorted to a brief foray into the life of Fela Kuti as a symbol, the way Bob Marley is for Jamaica. I'm not coming up with much. Someone actually suggested garri to me. And that's not even wholly ours. You'll often find me in the midst of such projects, as I believe things like Eurocentric history, language, and cultural studies to be detrimental to our psyche as Nigerians. Our culture IS worthy and equal, just as we are as a people. Westernisation doesn't just mean wearing less clothing or personal liberation (which, ironically, is the utter, polar opposite of European, and especially uptight, rigidly disapproving, overly reserved, sanctimonious British culture, and arguably is our original way of being). Today's Nigeria is a virtual mirror image of Victorian England in values, ideals, and even speech! (e.g. "taking tea" is an antiquated British word usage) But is it too late to reverse? I don't know. Change is the only constant in life. Everything has a beginning. 4 Likes |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by Nobody: 10:43am On Nov 18, 2014 |
henryobinna: I've made FP before. |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by notobs: 10:45am On Nov 18, 2014 |
[b]Nsibidi is the sacred Language of the Sacred Ekpe cultural society practiced by Efik/Ibibio people of cross river and Akwa Ibom State. This is well documented in history. The Ekpe culture were also exported to cuba, brazil and the carribean by the Efik ibibio Ancestral people through slaverywith it sacred language for the initiates of that society, In Cuba It was called Abakua where the practice was suprisingly preserved after all these years. and in 2004/2005 the Abakua of cuba Came to calabar for a cultural exchange where the ekpe dance, songs and Nsibidi the language of communication were compared to the Ekpe display of the calabar and the similarities were glaring and the Abakua were able to communicate effectively with the calabar ekpe using the sacred language Nsibidi to the Amazement of the initiates of both countries http://afrocubaweb.com/efik.htm The Igbos do not have anything to do with Ekpe, nor Nsibidi its sacred language. The author of this piece is deceptive and wallowing in revisionist history. The Igbos have their own rich cultural heritage, they should rejoice in that, and not try to hijack what doesn't belong to them. [/b] 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by LordReed(m): 10:48am On Nov 18, 2014 |
This script looks so complicated. To learn the logical flow of it's writing looks like it will require years to master. MissMeiya how long did it take you to learn how to write it? |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by myproperty(m): 10:51am On Nov 18, 2014 |
Radoillo: The " Nsibidi".originates from the Efik/ibibio and uptil today it is still being used only amongst the Ekpe cultural group of Cross river and Akwa-Ibom state . Nsibidi is a sacred language used by the Ekpe culrural group of.Cross River and Akwaibom State and as no linkage whatsoever with the igbo historically, except by adoption by trying to adopt it now 3 Likes |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by iamord(m): 10:53am On Nov 18, 2014 |
MissMeiya:And she has started with the sensible threads A very good read here.. I hope those that have lost their roots and look down on africa are taking note. Btw what does nsibidi have to do with anansi?? Hmm |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by iamord(m): 10:55am On Nov 18, 2014 |
LordReed: It looks similar to the chinese. If its implemented. In the coming generations. Everyone will speak and write if fluently |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by Trailblazer1(m): 11:01am On Nov 18, 2014 |
Ok |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by j4sure(m): 11:02am On Nov 18, 2014 |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by Fresia01(f): 11:02am On Nov 18, 2014 |
I learnt about nsibidi in university.... more of an igbo thing 11 Likes |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by christopher123(m): 11:06am On Nov 18, 2014 |
myproperty: WHO TOLD YOU, ONLY THE NAME NSIBIDI, IS AN IGBO NAME, NSIBIDI IS JUST AS IGBO AS THE NAME CAN BE, MIND YOU IGBO AND EFIKS SHARE A LOT CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTIXCALLY...DO YOU KNOW THAT EKPE IS STILL PRACTISED IN SOME PART OF IGBO LAND LIKE ARO AND AROS ARE SCATTED IN IGBO LAND THERE IS A MASQUARADE CALLED EKPO NOW HOW DARE YOU SAY SUCH...YOUR HATRED FOR IGBO IS SOMETHING IGBO HAD A ROBUST CIVILIZATION EVEN BEFORE THE WHITE MAN V VIA THE ANCIENT KINGDOM OF BIAFRA so do not rewrite history 9 Likes |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by pak: 11:08am On Nov 18, 2014 |
MissMeiya: Wow !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Am extremely impressed by this. You must be a very very intelligent person ! Thumbs UP. Please I have a few questions for you MissMeiya * What nationality are you ? * Where were you born ? * Where did you school and what course ? * Wher do you work and what do you do presently. Don't mind my 'plenty' questions just impressed by your knowledge, works and that has made me curious |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by waternogetemeny: 11:09am On Nov 18, 2014 |
Nsibidi is primarily used by the Ekpe leopard secret society (also known as Ngbe or Egbo), which is found across Cross River among the Ekoi, Efik, Igbo people, and other nearby peoples. notobs: Ekpe, also known as Egbo (Ibibio: Leopard), is a secret society flourishing chiefly among the Efiks of the Cross River State, the Oron, of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, Igbos in Abia State, as well as Southeastern Nigerians Igbo/Efik/Oron in the diaspora, such as in Cuba. 3 Likes |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by notobs: 11:10am On Nov 18, 2014 |
Radoillo:This is the problem of Igbo people - longer throat! since when did igbos practice Ekpe? Nsibidi is the language of Ekpe. and Ekpe only exist with the Efiks of cross river and ibibios of Akwa Ibom. You can only decieve those who are not in the know. You cannot steal a people culture no matter how much you try Ekpe and its sacred practice and Unique language Nsibidi has existed for centuries and will outlive this usless revisionist, Igbo people have not yet learnt their lesson on overextending their reach,This was why the civil war was truncated because of the over grab of the igbos! 1 Like |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by notobs: 11:12am On Nov 18, 2014 |
waternogetemeny: Igbos do not practice ekpe fact, how can you speak a language of a cultural society you are not a part of? 1 Like |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by oluwalfa: 11:13am On Nov 18, 2014 |
MissMeiya: I can see that you haven't been to Essex recently, but I digress. On the topic, we are suffering today because we already abandoned that which made us what we are. A very beautiful autograpgh like Nsibidi is kept in secret societies and we twist our tongues to pronounce English words. Well, I blame our parents. You are wrong in looking for what makes us Nigerians because Nigeria only exists as a geographical expression. Nothing else. We are currently glued together by crude oil and western weapons but it's coming to an end. The east can develop further with Nsibidi. If China adopted the western writing system, it will not be where it is today. 2 Likes |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by Nobody: 11:14am On Nov 18, 2014 |
notobs: Before you start having a convulsion over what I never said, Nsibidi originated from the Ekoi/Ejagham people and spread from there to the Efik/Ibibio and the Eastern Igbo. And you should get some education before coming here to say that the Eastern Igbo do not/did not practise Ekpe. 10 Likes |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by simplynola(m): 11:15am On Nov 18, 2014 |
Nsibidi - The Lost Script, taken back to China after the Igbos gained independence from China in the year eighteen eighty something. |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by notobs: 11:16am On Nov 18, 2014 |
christopher123: |
Re: Nsibidi: The Original Nigerian Writing Script by Orikinla(m): 11:16am On Nov 18, 2014 |
I know Nsibibi which means the beginning in Igbo. I have used in my my symbolic artworks. 3 Likes |
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