By Eteteonline
Anko is a dreaded ritualistic and mystical society, endowed with supernatural powers, and often referred to as Idiok Idem. An ancient society, which has endured several generations, is very rarely displayed. In fact, it is so rare that most people, especially the young generation of Efiks of today, do not know of its existence. This is because Anko is exhibited for very special reasons, situations, and conditions in the community, like when there are mysterious deaths. For instance, a mysterious death by drowning involving a good swimmer whose body disappeared for three days in the river, only to resurface with some organs missing, or a case where the deceased had swollen before dying, are all regarded as bad omens.
Therefore, Anko is meant to dispel such evil influences and forces accompanying mysterious and unnatural deaths. It is widely believed that the spirit or ghost of such people can haunt the town, and the power of Anko is invoked to protect the community.
In some places, people use Anko in the local administration of their towns or villages to address various eventualities. When serious problems happen in the community, like theft, figuring out the truth, enforcing laws, making decisions, or settling arguments, the supernatural powers of Anko (Mbiam Anko) may be called upon. Anko is sometimes used to drive out diseases and epidemics when they become alarming and to stop witches and vampires, if any.
One thing that is very remarkable about Anko is that whenever it is displayed (usually in the night), there will be an announcement in the community that nobody is supposed to leave his/her soup overnight; otherwise, it becomes sour. Every soup must be consumed and the pot emptied that night. Also, water meant for consumption should not be kept overnight. Drinking water that has been kept overnight must be poured out in the morning, as it will become foul and unfit for consumption.
The posture that an individual adopts while sleeping during the night also matters. He/she does not sleep face-up (Ekari). The people should only sleep face down (Ndikokubo) or side-wards (Nkang Nkang). Any person who sleeps face-up will have a protruded stomach, which can be remedied by offering a sacrifice.
Initiation into the cult is exclusively for men. Anko, per se, is a dreaded supernatural force or power (Mbiam), and it is considered a taboo for women to even attempt to look outside from their homes on the night of its outing. The young male children can be initiated, but are not shown the secrets. Anko’s power is thought to be greater than Obon or any other traditional society, only matched by Ekpe.
The most senior member, who acts as the head, is known as Obong Anko. The members enjoy equal status, though the Obong has privileges that are not extended to others.
Like Obon, there are no titles in Anko. On the other hand, Anko has three basic grades, namely Anko Bekut, Anko Korokoro, and Anko Bekpa. The three have different, distinctive, and peculiar characteristics, such that an initiation into one of these grades does not qualify a member to be admitted to all of them.
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