TINAPA RESORT APARTMENT HOTEL, CALABAR APPLICATION OF NSIBIDI EXPRESSION
TINAPA RESORT APARTMENT HOTEL, CALABAR APPLICATION OF NSIBIDI EXPRESSION
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Date
2008-08
Authors
OFFOBOCHE, AKPOWU
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is the application of the semiotics of the Nsibidi non-verbal
language system of the Ejagham/Ekoi people of Cross River State in South-eastern
Nigeria and Western Cameroon. This was done in a symbolic manner, taking into
consideration international construction standards and space requirements for the design
of an apartment hotel of four-star standard. The aim is to achieve a project which will
portray indigenous cultural, historical and mythical elements so as to add value to total
visitor experience within the Tinapa Resort. Clarification on the choice of use of the
term Ejagham above other pseudonyms like Ekoi and Bakor which are used within and
outside Nigeria by scholars, linguists and anthropologists to represent this same race is
made. The method of research carried out involved determining the unifying cultural
features of the people of the Cross River Basin, screening the findings down to a
workable scope of research and determining the distinct elements of their unique forms
of expression. The result was the Nsibidi language system. This study, thus focused on
analyzing the Nsibidi system of expression; both visual and otherwise; the basic
sentiments which surround the use of this system, and the impact these sentiments have
had on the socio-cultural structure of the Ejagham people. The study attempted to
determine how these parameters affected the varied forms of visual expression; if any,
used by these people pre-European influence. The findings were screened and only the
decorative aspect of Nsibidi, with a mild hint of the mythical, was used in the design of
the proposed Apartment Hotel. This was used to create a symbolically indigenous
design that the people can identify with, which will enhance the uniqueness of the
structural atmosphere; and in effect the environmental atmosphere, of the Tinapa Resort;
while at the same time represent the ancient traditional role of earth-cleansing and
rejuvenation performed after the acquisition of a valuable piece of communal land.
Description
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Keywords
TINAPA,, RESORT,, APARTMENT,, HOTEL,, CALABAR,, APPLICATION,, NSIBIDI,, EXPRESSION