Chapter one

Introduction

1.1  Background of the study

The continent of Africa, like other continents in the world, has been the stage upon which the drama of human development and cultural differentiations has been played since the beginning of known history.  Yet until very recently, the history of the great continent, its diverse cultural patterns and even the potential of the people, have been the subject of monumental distortions, decision and amusement among European intellectual community (Uya, 1974). Prior to the twentieth century, the myth that “Africans are people without a history”, dominated the historiography of the Europeans, which according to Thomas Hodgkin (1960) was, because Europeans who visited West Africa were not competent, and reported nothing more than the contemporary state of societies which they encountered.

Oron was in existence in the pre-colonial period in Nigeria and was formerly a part of the province called the South-Eastern state. Natives of this area speak the dialect also known as Oron. Most Oron people also speak and understand the Efik language fluently. The Oron also have some dialectical similarities with the Ibibio and Annang people, hence their communication in Ibibio and Annang languages is very proficient.

History has it that by 2370 BC Oron also known as (Oro Nation) had already been settled down in the present location known as Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria on the West Coast of African Sub Region, Akwa Ibom Gulf Line to Gulf of Guinea Atlantic Ocean South, after the Great flood (Noah`s deluge). The Community as at then and up until this moment is embedded with their dialect Language originated by them as far back as 2370 BC, not borrowed elsewhere or from the Bantus, Cameroun and/or Palestinian. The mass movements raided by Bantus the warriors, into many Communities did not mean that Oro people migrated from the Bantus, the Cameroun or Palestinians. Neither the Bantus attire nor any other cultural equivalent anywhere portrays that of Oro language or names. None of Oro Nation culture or names was derived from Bantu or any language elsewhere as immigrant. The Oros are peculiar people, strong contenders in nature wherever they are found, with the accolade `Oro Ukpabang Okpo`. Oro man complexion is not reflecting other ethnic nationalities or immigrant somewhere into Oro Nation. Their complexion is not as fair as the Palestinians or of the Israelis nor as dark as people residing around Cameroon mountain when Oro Nation had already came into being after creation of the world, even before pre colonialism came to being, when Nigeria and Cameroon did not come into existence as Countries. Abang was a warrior so powerful with huge muscles, the Head and Chief wrestler known as `Mbok’. The wrestling known as (Mbok) was originated by Abang the warrior from Africa which was displayed by the African slaves after a day`s job, to the admiration of the Guards who watches over them at work thereby creating relaxation chances for them at work before it spread and developed as wrestling around the whole world today. Abang the warrior with his group gallantly fought against the slave masters who were in the area for slave trade business. One day, he was over powered and captured with few of his group and were taken to the present day Israel of what was then Egypt. This is perhaps why it may be more than a mere coincidence that the only two nations on earth with places named “Oron” are Israel and Nigeria. From this backdrop the present work seek to examine the socio economic history of Oron people in the pre-colonial era.  

1.2  Statement of the problem

History has it that by 2370 BC Oron also known as {Oro Nation} had already been settled down in the present location known as Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria on the West Coast of African Sub Region, Akwa Ibom Gulf Line to Gulf of Guinea Atlantic Ocean South, after the Great flood (Noah`s deluge). The Community as at then and up until this moment is embedded with their dialect Language originated by them as far back as 2370 BC, not borrowed elsewhere or from the Bantus, Cameroun and/or Palestinian.

Regrettably, there has been total lack of documented history of oro nation and their economic activities during the pre-colonial era in Nigeria. This disagreement therefore gives rise to this study which seeks to make an investigation in the socio economic history of Oron people in the pre-colonial era.

1.3  Aims/objectives of the study

This project work has the objetive of examining the socio-economic development of Oron People in pre-colonial era. It is the intention of this writer is to contribute to the contemporary body of knowledge on the history of Oron people during the pre-colonial season. This is with the view of getting all talks on the issue annexed and reduced into literature form or writing so as to serve as a reference point to people who will be interested in this area of history about Oron as a nation in the future.

1.4  Significance of the study

The significance of this study can be viewed from the following perspectives.

1.    One main significance of this study is that when completed, it would serve as a bridge for the gap that have been created between where previous works on this subject area stopped and today.

2    This study is significant in the sense that it’s finding would serve as a base and framework for future researchers to carry out further studies in the field of knowledge under study.

 3    The outcome of this research is hoped to be of immense use to students of history and other related organizations

1.5  Scope and Limitations

The project work seeks to concentrate on the socio economic development of Oron people in the pre colonial era

1.6  Research Methodology

In the course of this work, alternative and dependence shall be placed on the primary and secondary sources of materials. The source of information in this work is library based and essentially documentary, both local and international, as well as the opinion of text writers and historians.

1.7  Definition of Concepts

Socio-economic: this is concerned with the interaction of social and economic factors

Colonization: the action or process of settling among and establishing control over the indigenous people of an area.

Oron:  this is a category of people who identify with each other based on similarities such as common ancestry, language, society, culture.

Era: is a span of time defined for the purposes of chronology or historiography.

1.8  Chapterization

The study comprises five chapters; chapter one give a general idea of the research, chapter two presents the literature review on economic development in pre-colonial era, chapter three deals with the history of the people of Oron in pre-colonial era in the study while chapter four highlights economic development in modern Oron nation.

Chapter five which is the final chapter of the study which presents the summary of the major findings, conclusion and recommendations.