Life in Southern Nigeria: The Magic, Beliefs, and Customs of the Ibibio Tribe

IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA

MACMILLAN AND CO., Limited

LONDON • BOMBAY • CALCUTTA • MADRAS MELBOURNE

THE MACMILLAN COMPANY

NEW YORK • BOSTON • CHICAGO DALLAS • SAN FRANCISCO

THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Ltd. TORONTO

LIFE IN

SOUTHERN NIGERIA

THE MAGIC, BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS OF THE IBIBIO TRIBE

BY

P. AMAURY TALBOT

RESIDENT, NIGERIA

AUTHOR OF

“IN THE SHADOW OF THE BUSH : A DESCRIPTION OF THE EKOI OF SOUTHEAST NIGERIA”

MACMILLAN AND CO., LIMITED ST. MARTIN’S STREET, LONDON 1923

COPYRIGHT

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN

Here ghosts from long-dead worlds have made their home. Dark Mangrove boughs form window frame and door.

Of whispering wind-swayed leaves is built each wall :

And the breathless silence is peopled all

With echoes and dreams. While lily-strewn streams

And great smooth creeks form its crystal floor.

Mist-like flit Nymph and Satyr. Wan sea-foam Laves Nereids’ feet upon the shell-strewn shore.

Dryads, half seen, flee twixt the tree trunks tall.

Through breeze and storm-wind, myriad voices call—

Mid glints and gleams, fierce sun’s or moon’s soft beams— Seeking, in our deaf ears, to breathe the Lore,

Gleaned, in the days ere Greece and Rome were born.

From long-forgotten worlds and Faiths outworn.

D. A. T.