User talk:Begiabaarchives

Begiaba People in Northern Cross River of Nigeria. Begiaba is a small community of about 5 thousand inhabitants in Begiading ward of Obudu, Cross River State of Nigeria. The community may not be popular in global geography. Nevertheless its surrounding rising hills and overwhelming climate could be notable. The people of Begiaba who are predominantly peasant agriculturists are happy people distinguished culturally by their clan-like communal life style. Three historical clans exist namely: Begiauban, Begiaugbo and Begia-adie. The prefix"Begia" denotes descendants when roughly interpreted in English. However,Begia which is plural in its etymology, is classically referring to offspring in modern English literature. The three clans conglomerated into Begiaba have in near similarity three different villages with exception of Begia-adie. Begiauban is made up of Begiaugbiyin, Bebuauman and Begiautuwhua. Begiaugbu too is made up of Begia-anyetian and Begiablimbi. Begia-adie is classed into Bebuaubanigim and Bebuautepi. Begiaba people speak a language called Bette which is spoken among the Obudu people of Northern Cross River. Bette language as may be argued is fast becoming endangered in the sense that influx of globalisation and the lack of ethnic affiliation is affecting it. Most people in modern day Begiaba communicate in English even though they lack articulation. The language has its variants in pronunciations of words as compared to their historical rivals, Kutiang. Kutiang people speak a variant of Bette closely related to Kubong Bette people. There is another variant of the language spoken in Begiaka and Kukorshie and in these examples, there is a deeper tone emphasised during vocalisation of words. It may not be exaggerated when it is stated that all the variants of Bette language owe allegiance to a type of language categorised as Niger-Kongo language family. The people are peasant farmers and varieties of their production include yam, cassava, maize,grand beans, okoro, groundnut, etc.Each of these crops are specially cultivated using culturally specialised means. Yam is of cultural importance to the people. No wonder, the people celebrate it elaborately. The new yam festival is an annual celebration across the entire Local Government. The first Saturday of every September is always the beehive of cultural celebrations with people coming home for the new yam festival. Culturally, too the influx of civilisation and Christianity in particular has polarised views about the new yam festival. Christmas for instance has come to represent one of the most celebrated festivals among Begiaba people. Marriage is elaborately celebrated in Begiaba. Brides are often taken from neighboring tribes. In pre-colonial era, the tradition was that a woman married in another town finds a bride for the brother. Bridal exchange was also an acceptable means of bride taking but what obtains nowadays is that people find themselves suitors. When suitors are found, marriage then takes place. It is noteworthy that in bridal exchange, traditional items are not presented but in situations where people find themselves suitors, a proper traditional marriage takes place. In that situation, the groom is often exposed to series of ritual observances and replication of rites. Each step is accompanied by a set of traditional items such as palm wine, kola nut, clothing, meat, and other accessories deem necessary by the bride's family. Notable among the items is the bride price. Bride price is monetary allotment given by the groom to the bride's family. This money represents a cultural treaty between the two families and in case the marriage fails, such may be requested to be returned to the groom's family. Inheritance among the people is patrilineal in nature meaning that the male child inherits properties from the father's side. Inheritance is not tolerated from the mother's side because when a woman marries, she only shares her lineage theoretically from her home. She actually belongs to her husband's lineage. When she dies, she is also buried in her husband's compound.She can only return to her father's village in case the marriage breakdown. In real sense, it can be interpreted that at marriage, a woman literally changes allegiance to that of her husband. Begiaba people are governed by a pseudo parliamentary political structure. The people are governed by a Chief closely assisted by lower chiefs while administratively, there is a village council executive. The royalty in Begiaba is graced by His Royal Highness, Ukongmaime of Begiaugbu Clan, Utsu Samson Ukpanukpong Ogar. Ukongmaime is a tittle which may be seen as self professed because no such titles existed before. More so, it may even be suggested that His Majesty decided to take such a tittle to demonstrate power and influence which he intended to impart upon assumption of office. Begiaba is notable for its eminent personalities such as Daniel Ayabie Ubleble, Sylvanus Ugbe Ikem, Ashibel Ogar, Linus Adie Iti among others. These personalities are seen as the precursors of modernisation in the small town. These people who were educated by the British colonial administration set the foundation for modern agriculture, education and life style among the people. Daniel Ubleble and Sylvanus Ikem in particular were instrumental to peace building and meaningful coexistence which lasted between Kutiang and Begiaba people owing to protracted land dispute. Ubleble's investments in improved palm trees and cocoa are visible signs of his relentless contributions to the development of the area.