Nsibidi

Common card · No. 260658

Nsibidi (also spelled Nsibiri, Nchibiddi, or Nchibiddy) is a system of symbols or proto-writing developed by the Ejagham people in the cross river region of Nigeria and south-western part of Cameroon. They are classified as pictograms, though there have been suggestions that some are logograms or syllabograms. Nsibidi is used on wall designs, calabashes, metals (such as bronze), leaves, swords, and tattoos, primarily by the Mgbe and Ekpe (Ngbe/Egbo) leopard societies found across old Cross River region among the Ekoi, Igbo, Efik, Bahumono, and other nearby peoples. Before the colonial period of Nigerian history, Nsibidi was divided into a sacred version and a public, more decorative version which could be used by women. The onset of colonialism and associated disempowerment of various traditional "secret societies" may have further driven its secrecy. Nsibidi was transported to Cuba and Haiti via the Atlantic slave trade, where it developed into the Anaforuana and Veve symbols.

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