User:Philipakoda/sandbox/Ndem Efik

Ndem Efik is the pantheon of deities worshipped by the Efik people and overseen by the Edidem. The Efik originally believed that Ndem was closer to them than the supreme being known as Abasi. The abode of Ndem was in water bodies such as streams, rivers, creeks etc. Ndem Efik has been mentioned in several works on the history of Old Calabar. While most writers assumed Ndem Efik was a single deity, Ndem Efik from the Efik perspective was regarded as a host of deities. Ndem is the plural of Idem and the host of Ndem Efik was made up of different Idem. Prior to the infiltration of Christianity in Old Calabar and in Efik society, Ndem Efik was regarded as the overseer of most affairs in Efik society. Although the Efik possessed hundreds of deities, there were certain Ndem that were regarded as more prominent and more important than others. This class of prominent Ndem were the ones often made reference to when the term Ndem Efik is invoked. Among this class of deities were Afianwan Ndem Iboku, Anansa Ikan Obuton, Ukon Esuk, Anwakan and Anantigha.