Nsibidi Script

Ancient Script, Secret Societies & Banter with Baboons?

 

Nsibidi is an ancient system of writing dating back to 450 A.D (and possibly earlier).  It is most commonly attributed to indigenous people of the Cross River region of southeastern Nigeria. Nsibidi spread throughout the region over time & mixed with other cultures such as the Igbo, Ekoi & Bahumono, among others. 

Nsibidi is not spoken, but “a polyvalent sign system having performative (i.e. mimed) and graphic components (i.e. written signs), while certain objects may also be considered nsibidi. The meanings for particular signs may vary geographically and according to one’s level of initiation in the societies that use nsibidi, such as the women’s Ekpa Society of the Ejagham, or the men’s Leopard Society (variously called Ekpe, Mgbe, or Ngbe—the pidgin Egbo of older written sources), which served as legislative, judicial, & executive powers throughout the Cross River region.” Nsibidi comprises hundreds of symbols (similar to Egyptian hieroglyphics) that can be drawn in the air (as gestures), on the ground, on skin (as tattoos), on houses & on art (masks, textiles etc). 

Early evidence of nsibidi is found in the decoration of the carved monoliths of Emangabe, near Ikom in the upper Cross River region. The stones frequently display carefully rendered concentric circles, spirals, lozenges, and other discrete figures otherwise associated with body art and nsibidi in various contexts. the nearby village of Okang Mbang that generally corroborate each other, and which are associated with hundreds of terracottas that display a considerable range of designs. Combined, the dates encompass the period ca. 450 A.D – 1440 A.D (Fig. 1.5). 

Over time the prevalence of Nsibidi diminished owing to factors such as the proliferation of Western education, Christian teaching, and the increasing availability of decorative imported objects in a variety of media (which decreased demand for locally made objects (including nsibidi clad terra-cottas,. Furthermore, much of Nsibidi is attributed to witchcraft, hence its abandonment in many places where it was once used. Citation needed. However, The writing system was transported to Cuba & Haiti via the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, where it developed into the Anaforuana & Vèvè symbols.

Fun facts:

  • In 1909, historian J. K. Macgregor in his work argued that Nsibidi has its root in the Uguakima, Ebe or Uyanga tribes of the Igbos. Additionally, according to him, legend has it that the language was taught to the Igbos by baboons. However, this theory has been discarded by historians who say that the Nsibidi originated from the Ekoi people, neighbours of the Efik and Ibibio ethnic groups in Nigeria before it was adopted by the Igbos. 

  • Nsibidi was the inspiration for the Wakandan writing system shown in the Marvel movie, ‘Black Panther’.

 

Cited

  • Slogar, C. (2005, April 18). Iconography and continuity in West Africa: Calabar Terracottas and the Arts of the Cross River region of Nigeria/cameroon. Digital Repository at the University of Maryland. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://drum.lib.umd.edu/handle/1903/2416?show=full