Eniong Abatim (Efik: Eniọñ Abatịm) is a community located in the present-day Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River state of Nigeria.[1] The people speak the Efik language.[2]
Eniong Abatim | |
|---|---|
Community | |
| Eniong Abatim | |
| Country | Nigeria |
| State | Cross River |
| LGA | Odukpani |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (WAT) |
Etymology
editIn several pre-colonial documents, Eniong Abatim was known as 'Enyong'.[1] Although some documents such as Edward Bold's The Merchant's and Mariner's African Guide (1822), spell it as "Aniung".[3] In Rev. Hope Waddell's book, Twenty-Nine Years in the West Indies and Central Africa (1863), it is spelt "Iniong"; and in J.B. King's expeditionary accounts in 1841, it is spelt "Innieong".[4][5] The modern and appropriate spelling in the Efik language which is spoken by the Eniong is Eniọñ. Eniọñ is translated as 'the clever ones' and comes from the root verb 'niọñ', to know.[1]
Geography
editTo the north, it shares borders with Abia State, while to the west it is bordered by Akwa Ibom State.[1] Its northeastern boundary adjoins Biase Local Government Area, and to the south, it is bordered by the Cross River.[1]
History
editDuring the Atlantic slave trade, Eniong Abatim was a major supplier of slaves and oil.[6][1]
References
editCitations
editBibliography
edit- Simmons, Donald C. (1968) [1st pub. 1956], "An Ethnographic Sketch of the Efik people", in Forde, Daryll (ed.), Efik Traders of Old Calabar, London: Dawsons of Pall Mall OCLC 67514086
- King, J.B. (1844). "Details of Explorations of the Old Calabar River, in 1841 and 1842". The Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. 14: 260–283.
- Waddell, Hope Masterton (1863), Twenty-Nine Years in the West Indies and Central Africa, London: Nelson & Sons OCLC 862147545
- Goldie, Hugh (1862), Dictionary of the Efik Language, in two parts. I-Efik and English. II-English and Efik, Glassgow: Dunn and Wright
- Akoda, Winifred E.; Akoda, Philip (2021), Groundwork of Eniong Abatim History (1670-2020), Ibadan: University Press PLC., ISBN 9789789408863
- Bold, Edward (1823) [1819], Merchant's and Mariner's African Guide: containing an accurate description of the coast, bays, harbours and adjacent islands of West Africa, Salem: Cushing & Appleton OCLC 28711857