User:Bridget.awesome/Efik Mythology

In Efik mythology, Abassi is considered to be the creator god. His wife is Atai is known as the mediator. It is believed that Atai convinced Abassi to allow two humans (one man and one woman)  also known as their children to live on Earth, but forbid them to work or reproduce.The children were required to return to heaven with Abassi whenever he rang the dinner bell. These rules were established so that the Efik people would not surpass Abassi in wisdom or strength. Eventually the children disobeyed and Abassi killed them both. Abassi and Atai were disgusted and gave the human race two gifts, argument and death. The gods also turned away from the people. It wasn’t until the Efik people started making human sacrifices for their sins that Abassi and Atai started to hear their cries for help again.

Health
It was believed that Abassi and Atai lived in the sun. Abassi was thought to be the god of health. The tribesmen would often chant aloud to the sun in hopes that Abassi would hear their cries and heal them. It is believed that Abassi gave certain tribemen the ability to heal the sick through necromancy. Whenever someone in the tribe was ill, the chief would summon the witchdoctor. If the witchdoctor was unable to heal the ill person, the ill person was to be immediately killed because Abassi did not want them to be healed. Within a healing ceremony, the tribesmen would start a fire. All the people of the tribe were required to gather around as they sang songs of worship to Abassi. If the witchdoctor was unable to heal the sick person, the ill person would immediately be thrown into the fire.

Nature
As time went on, the Efik people started believing that Abassi was the god of nature. Eventually this caused the people to begin worshipping the sun in hopes that it was Abassi himself. It wasn’t long until the Efik people began making human sacrifices to Abassi in order that they may receive a plentiful harvest. Sometimes the Efik people would burn one of their tribesmen alive. Other times they would impale them with a large object. During the ceremony the tribesmen would shout aloud to Abassi. Communication with Abassi generally consisted of the same traditions. The ceremonies had a fire and loud worship. Someone would usually die and no one hardly ever received what they sought.

Local Beliefs
It was also believed that twins were a disgrace to Abassi. It was thought to be evil for a woman to give birth to twins. If a woman gave birth to twins, the woman would be burnt alive and the twins were taken and left for dead in the bush (the desert). While in the bush, the babies would either be eaten by a wild animal or starve to death. There was also an option for the tribe to eat the twins rather than leave them in the bush. This was a very unsanitary ceremony. Cannibalism was rampant in the Efik world.

Major Influences
Over time, many missionaries have sought out to help the Efik people. One woman in particular who set out to help the Efik people was Mary Slessor. She ultimately taught the Efik people a different doctrine. Mary believed in the creator God of the Holy Bible. She taught the tribesmen how to farm. The tribesmen no longer needed to depend on Abassi to provide a pleantiful harvest. This knowledge ultimately ended human sacrificing to Abassi. Mary also taught the Efik people that twins were not evil. She opened an orphanage and lived among the Efik people for a total of 30 years. With time the Efik people welcomed twins back into society. This ultimately ended the burning of mothers in the tribe who gave birth to twins. It also kept babies from being eaten or left to starve in the bush. Mary taught a doctrine of peace to the Efik people.

Efik Mythology Today
Efik people today worship many different gods. Some still live by the teachings of Mary Slessor and others still live in obedience to Abassi and Atai. There are many other beliefs among the Efiks today. Some of the beliefs include Islam, Atheism, and many others. Each of the religious beliefs and views of the Efik people effect their society immensely. Whether it be styles of worship or methods of dealing with illness, the society of Efik people is greatly effected by their beliefs.