EUROPEAN INFLUENCE ON TRADITIONAL HOUSE FORM IN OLD CALABAR AND ITS ENVIRONS (EFIK LAND) 1800 - 1960

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Date
1999-02
Authors
MBINA, Anthony Adomi
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Abstract
The essence of this study is to explore the settlement pattern of the Efik of "Old Calabar" in South-Eastern Nigeria. The purpose is the reconstruction of the origins and development pattern of Efik Traditional Architecture. The impact and influence early European contact had on Efik Traditional House Form was investigated. However the study did not cover in detail all settlements which claim to be Efik. Rather, it was limited to those areas and settlements where the Efik took up permanent residence during the course of their movements. Notable among these are Ikot Itunko or Obio Oko (Creek Town), Qbutong (Old Town), Atakpa (Duke Town) and Nsidung (Henshaw Town). In Nigeria, as well as in most other African countries, ethnic pluralism is a major problem - which has sometimes been ascribed to the imposition of colonial boundaries and the subsequent binding together of many different peoples into one political unit. Although this study subscribes to the general notion that History is replete with the occurrence of colonialism, evidence has shown however that ethnic pluralism is not a new phenomena in African pre-colonial era, nor is it simply a result of colonial rule. In many instances, it: has been seen that even before the advent of colonial rule, people of different ethnic affiliation lived within certain ethnic territories. This fact has become evident in the case of "Old Calabar" where the story of this area would not have been completely appreciated without mention of the non-Efik communities of Efut and Big Qua, who to date still form a significant portion of present day Calabar Municipality. Hence, an investigation of the traditional House Form of these settlements also formed part of the study. However, it needs be mentioned that the terms "Old Calabar", "Efik or Efik Land" as used throughout this research are for purpose of convenience, and should be understood to mean and include the two dominant non-Efik communities of Efut and Big Qua in Calabar Township
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A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL, IN PARTIAL FULFILIWENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Ph.D.) IN ARCHITECTURE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE, FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA. February, 1999
Keywords
EUROPEAN INFLUENCE,, TRADITIONAL HOUSE FORM,, OLD CALABAR,, ENVIRONS 1800 - 1960
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