Yakurr (Yako) (Ekoi) is one of the groups in Africa that practiced dual kinship namely matrilineality and patrilineality within the family.
Other groups in Africa that practice this unique and intriguing kinship are the Akan people of Ghana and Ivory Coast.
The Akan are the largest ethnic group in both Ghana and the Ivory Coast. The Akan speak Kwa languages which are part of the larger Niger-Congo family.
Kwanja people of Cameroon also practice double unilineal or triple kinship. Kin-based networks are essential in African life and have been present since Africa’s earliest societies.
The role of kinship has loosened over the centuries, but it still plays a vital part.
Kinship is the way that Africans created social connections. It determine one’s role in society, inheritance, and even who one marries.
In 1935 a renowned British anthropologist Professor Cyril Darlly Forde(16 March 1902 – 3 May 1973) of the Institute of Cultural Anthropology, it was commissioned by the Colonial Office to carry out anthropological studies of Yako and Mbembe people of the Upper Cross River region. Professor Forde undertook the study and was ably supported by Okoi Arikpo Egede (later Dr Okoi Arikpo Egede SAN) as his research assistant.
Okoi Arikpo was then undertaking a research doctorate programme in the University of London in anthropology.
The findings of the research of Professor Cyril Darly Forde was published as Yako Studies in 1964. Professor Forde dwelled extensively on the significance of the patrician or paternal family or Kepon among the Yako.
One of the unique symbols of authority in the paternal family in Yako is the use of the elephant tusk (lenigha). Each paternal family or clan known as Kepon is supposed to have an elephant tusk (lenigha) among its valuable possessions or properties. The lenigha symbolizes authority, power and wealth of every kepon.
However, most kepon do not have lenigha because it is expensive to acquire. Many African cultures revere the African Elephant as a symbol of strength and power. It is also praised for its size, longevity, stamina, mental faculties, cooperative spirit, and loyalty.
Ivory was much desired as a legitimising material for Africa’s rulers. Almost unbreakable it served as a symbol for immortality, power and strength.
Ivory made from the elephant tusk right from Bibical times has always been one of the valuable possessions which only kings possessed. This is implied in 2nd Chronicles 9:21. Biblical scholars also suggest that elephants in the Bible symbolize power since some kings’ palaces were made of elephants’ ivory (Psalms 45:8).
In Yako elephant is known as “Yonni”. Tooth is known as legha. Therefore elephant tusk becomes “lenigha” (tooth of an elephant).
Attached to this write up is a video shot of Ekoi day (Ugep New Yam Festival) during the Etangala Cultural Carnival as one of the members is seen blowing an elephant tusk (lenigha) to demonstrate the virility, strength, power and authority the Etangala Masquerade symbolizes.
Watch video below:
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By: @Okoi Obono-Obla