My little effort while on National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is never a waste as I received a copy of my publication while on service in ICHEKE Journal of the Faculty of Humanities. Vol 14. No 1, March 2016. Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt.

As an academia, whose scholarly interest ranges from Philosophy of Religion to African Philosophy, I have embarked on lots of research works, one of which, is the 'EKONG INITIATION RITES INTO ADULTHOOD AMONG THE IBIONO/IBIBIO PEOPLE OF AKWA IBOM STATE.' I carried out this research while on NYSC in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

I discovered that in every culture, traditional practices celebrate life-cycle which perpetuates community cohesion, and transmit values to subsequent generations. The Ekong Initiation Rites into Adulthood is a ritual ceremony that marked the transition from one phase of life to another; It is a tumultuous transition from adolescent to adulthood, with its inculcation of high moral standard among the youths in their teenage age with the provision of a forum for traditional civic education, through which the people's cosmology, tradition and customs were being taught.

The cultic involvement of the Ekong initiation rites was also an avenue were the leaders of these cults, as custodians of ancient wisdom, transmit much cherished love humility, responsibility and respect etc. to the community.

However, the value of Ekong Initiation Rites into Adulthood has been watered down to mere ceremony, as well as an embodiment of molestation, theft, discrimination, and distortion of economic, educational, social, political and Religious activities, allegedly perpetrated by the Ekong society through its masquerade.

This and several other issues surrounding the Ekong Initiation Rites into Adulthood Among the Ibiono People of AkwaIbom State attracted my attention. Hence the essence of this work to critically investigate the pains and gains of the Ekong initiation rites.

For more details or how to get a copy of the Journal contact me at burabarisunday@gmail.com
Or the editorial board at www.ichekejournal.com

CONGRATULATIONS!
Comrd Deezia Burabari Sunday
(To God be the glory).

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This work is published by
Deezia B. S. (2016) Ekong Initiation Rites into Adulthood among the Ibibio/Ibion People of Akwaibom State. Icheke journal of the faculty of humanities, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Port Harcourt. Vol 14 No 1. pp 59-72