AkwaCross Jews

AkwaCross People

AkwaCross people are the people of Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State of Nigeria. They consist of homogeneous groups that speak same language with some dialects. They include the Annang, Efik, Eket, Ibibio, and Oron.

They are believed to be members of the Northern Kingdom of Israel who left before the Babylonian captivity and migrated to the Efik/Ibibio/Annang land of Nigeria from Egypt via Ethiopia and Sudan. The AkwaCross Jews, belong to the Benei-Yisrael, are members of the ancient Calabar Kingdom of Nigeria who practice the Jewish religion.

Origin of AkwaCross People

The AkwaCross people of Nigeria originated from same ancestors who were Egyptian Jews (that resulted from mixed marriage of Israelites and Egytians). History has it that they migrated from Egypt through Ethiopia and Sudan via Ghana and Cameroon into their virgin territory in the coastal southeastern Nigeria thousands of years before Christ. See origin of Annang people.

Also, according to Nair (1975), in early history of Nigeria, the Jewish origin of the Efik people (people of old Calabar Kingdom) was well known. One of the early settlements of the Efik people (see Efik Kingdom and Calabar Kingdom) was Ututu and the Efik were often referred to as Efik Eburutu, with Eburutu being a local term that came into being as a result of the curruption of the word Hebrew, and Ututu. Ebrutu meaning Hebrews of Ututu or Hebrews who settle at Ututu. The complete name, Efik Ebrutu meaning Efik people are Hebrews who settle at Ututu. Hence, the Efik people,Efik/Ibibio/Annang were known in early history as being Hebrews and having (Jewish ancestors). Ututu being one of the early settlements of the Efik people in the coastal southeastern Nigeria.

Additionally, Hebrew words are in common use within the region of the old Calabar Kingdom. For example, Itai, the traditional head of Annang group is a Hebrew word and the name of one of King David's Army General. Another group in the Calabar Kingdom, has the name Oron which is a name of a prominent Hebrew Industrial city in Israel.

Their Religious Practices
The Annnag, Efik and Ibibio people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States of Nigeria have had ancient religious practices that strongly resembled some of the Jewish Torah. These include their traditional sacrifice of animals (rituals) by the presiding male of each village, or of a group of villages, for purification, especially during times of sickness. European missionaries from Europe arriving in their land in the early 1400 (1400s AD) called their religious practices "traditional religion". But they identify their religious practices and heritage with the Jews.

In particular, there are about 30,000 practinioners of Jewish religion (Judaism) in various Synagogue services (Shabbat Services)in Akwa Ibom State and Cross River State.

Synagogue services (Shabbat Services) of this region of Nigeria can be seen on the Internet, including the YouTube website taped at Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State

The AkwaCross people are not the only Nigerian group claiming Jewish heritage; there are other communities practicing Judaism in Nigeria, especially the Igbo and the Yoruba.

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