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