Ikot Ekpene, local government area of Nigeria
Ikot Ekpene is a town in Akwa Ibom State known for its busy markets, friendly people, and strong craft traditions among the Annang community. Located along the A342 highway between Calabar and Aba, it serves as an important trading center for raffia products, wood carvings, and pottery.
European traders first reached Ikot Ekpene in the 17th century, though sustained contact came later with the British colonial presence in the early 1900s. The town became strategically important during the Biafra civil war, after which reconstruction efforts began to rebuild it as a regional center.
Ikot Ekpene is known as a center for arts and crafts among the Annang people, who have long traditions of creating items from raffia fibers, wood, and clay. These handmade goods like shoes, hats, bags, and carvings remain central to local identity and daily life, passed down through generations and celebrated in community gatherings.
The town is accessible via the A342 highway and offers basic accommodation and dining options in local establishments. The main market and town center are walkable, where visitors can browse handcraft goods and interact with residents about local products and traditions.
The town is also called the "raffia town" because craftspeople have produced art pieces from raffia fibers for generations, making it distinctive in the region. These raffia works are so well-known that they are sometimes exported to other parts of Nigeria and beyond.
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