The Annang (Also spelt Anaan) is a cultural and ethnic group that lives within southeast Nigeria. The Annangs are found in the former Abak, Ikot Ekpene, Ukanafun areas of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. Their society is patriarchal. Though women have been seen to be subordinate to men, the first-born female known as Adiaha is considered important and commands respect in the family. Women organizations such as "abi-de" and "Nyaama" play important roles in giving the women voice and status in society.
Leadership at the family, lineage, village, or clan level remains the prerogative of the men. In the Annangland, however, there are no legal barriers to women attaining high offices or positions. There are also no laws subjugating women to ill and unfair treatment on the basis of sex. Individuals locate their place in the social world as being from Idip, literally translated as, stomach. Thus a brother/sister is from the same Idip meaning that they can trace their origin to the same mother or father. Since polygamy is practised in the society those who can so trace their ancestry to the same parents form Ufok (literary a house or compound) Several ufoks make up Ekpuks or family and several Ekpuks (families) make up the village. Nka or age grade is important and individuals are measured against the achievements and developmental task of their age grade or Nka. Governance is done by elderly males who act as the legislative arm called Afe Ison, directed by the chief who is the head and the chief executive but without the authority beyond what the Afe Ison gives. A chief can be appointed by the Afe and can also be an inherited office.
The group values the ability to speak well and oratory and ability to speak using proverbs are highly desirable and expected traits especially among the leaders. The American socio-linguist, Peter Farb, stated that the name "Annang" among this group means 'they who speak well' An individual who has the gift of eloquent speech is often complimented as 'Akwo Annang" meaning the singer of Annang. Very little was written in the European papers about this group before the middle of the nineteenth century. The first recorded mentioned of the group is in the description of what is known as the Ikot Udo Obong Wars where the British described the killings of the Annangs by King Jaja of Opobo as a punishment for the Annangs defying his orders and trading in palm oil directly with the British merchants instead of going through the "king". In the war that ensued, the British intervened and with the help of the Annangs captured King Jaja and sent him to the West Indies. The Annangs are known for their fearlessness and the ability to bind together to fight a common enemy. This was perhaps why the British had a military post at Ikot Ekpene in the early part of the twentieth century. The Annangs are also known for the efficacy of their charms. In fact the British colonial officers described the Annang headquarter, Ikot Ekpene, as a cultural capital of the Annangs and Ibibios. The Annangs suffered genocide during the Nigeria Biafra war 1967 - 1970 and lost a significant number of its people. Requests by the group for a statehood within Nigeria have often been ignored by different political administrations. Their language faces the danger of extinction as political dominance imposes other dialects on the Annangs. Ezekiel Ette Portland State University USA