THE "ATAM" IN GOVERNMENT.

The three (3)arms of Government of Nkum before the colonial era were:
The Annepkol Mfam(council of Elders) that formulates, reviews policies and adjudicates justice by interpreting the law , and apply it to prevailing situations as demanded.

Atam makes laws to protect life and properties of the people , and regulates the economic activities of the people to ensure equal right to all .

Agrinya , carries out the execution of the policies following the directives of the Annepkol Mfam as approved by the law . For a flow, since the people of Nkum were Governed by the rule of law, let's see how Atam , as an arm of Government that made laws , came to be and how the three arms of Government functioned to ensure there was check and balance.

Atam came at first, as a masquerade. Ada Nfonigbe Ugeh who was a member, gave the brief history which was confirmed by Ada Ikpong,Ada Nketa Ngunyam, Adima Benjol,and Ada Ukide.

Listen to Nfonigbe.
" A wealthy man died. He had many slaves. His family felt he should be honoured and be buried with one of his slaves.

When it was time for the ritual, the slave was called to carry the master's body to the grave. He mournfully did.

On reaching there, he was ordered to enter the grave to go and serve the master in the other world.
As an obedient servant, he agreed.

The male slave ,who was in tears , demanded to honour the good master with one masquerade before being honoured to lie by his good master in dead.
He said, he valued this privilege more than he fears death.

The people now asked the Agrinya members to escort him to go and put on the costumes.

The frighten but courageous slave hurriedly wore the costumes and was moving with majesty before his escort, who appeared to be admiring and jealoused of their victim in his beautiful attire as they go towards the grave.

By the time the elders saw him ,they were amazed.The beauty of the masquarate was irresistible to behold.
He sang and took some regal steps , while women and children were pressing in to watch this cultural display, without knowing who the Masquerader was.

The elders confirmed that they had never seen such a beautiful masquerade,with such sweet songs and regal and royal dancing steps.

It was resolved that "Ani Mmon Nteng" as the slave was called, be should freed as slave and promoted to lead this masquarate and directed to teach others how to make the mask , sing the songs and dance to the sweet melody of this great new dance ,that depicted dignity and commanded much honour.
On the day of presenting the initiate to the Mfam (the general Assembly), Ani was given the honour to name the Masquarate.
Ani Mmon Nteng, answered, " with your approval, this masquarate shall be called Atam. Members shall be called and adressed as Mmon Ada." Meaning sons of the great master.
This was approved. With the integrity and wisdom of the initial members of Atam, the people declared Atam to be the Arm of Government to make laws in Nkum.
Atam cuts across Ekajuk clans and Nkum. In Nkem clans it took the form of Akpo shashak led by the "Mbailshi". Among the Quos, it is called "Ekpe". The function remains the same in all the Ejagam speaking people of cross river state.

It was passed into law by the Annepkol Mfam( the council of elders)that only the male owners of factors of production can belong to Atam.

To be a member, you must be able to feed the community and their neighbors well for seven days.
The beautiful mask was declared as the robe for the swearing in of the law makers. This was how "Atam", as this dancing group is called, was officially declared as the law making arm of Nkum, which Ukpagada is one of the autonomous clan.


Atam legislates on forest ,land, economic trees , and crimes like stealing among others.

When there is a serious offence that may lead to hand cuffing the victim, the Agrinya is to go for arrest, but the traditional hand cuff known as "Ukreh", must be provided by the "Atam".
This is an endorsement of the judgement passed by the Annepkol Mfam, as based on the rule of law.

It is also believed that Atam has a spirit that invite pease, prosperity and usher in good health and order in the land.
When things are not moving well in the land , Ntol Atam is directed by the Annepkol Nfam to cleans the land ("fehkMfam"..
When children had become very sturbon and would not want to run errands again, Atam will come out. Parents of such sturbon children would take them to Atam who will throw them up high , and catch them in the air many times and let them go crying.
This memory will remain fresh in the minds of such children and when they are sent on errands after that, mere saying "Atam goh o!" ( Look at Atam there) is enough to send the child running for the errand. That was the people's Government , when the
people were Governed by the people.

This was the time that, Mfam, the Annepkol Mfam, the Atam and the Agrinya were incharge of the affairs of their people.
The Mfam, the general Assembly, is the gathering of all the adults members of the community in the playground for discussion on issues of communal interest presided over by the Nnenkol Mfam(the community Elder).

The Annepkol Mfam is the meeting of all the elders of the community ,with some selected youths identified and confirmed as being knowledgeable in the law of the land, it's interpretation and application on current situation in administering judgement.

The Agrinya or A'Yita was there,as the Armed forces and police of the society, making sure that the forest , the bush , the boarders and the home are save for all lawful citizens and visitors." At this point,Mfonigbe Ugeh called for his pipe and tactically dismissed me with these words" Mmon,Ibu fu. Ndege jom Togo Mal , mmbohr Kim kpo itom." Meaning , my son, it is enough. The land must not be finished, before the farm is transfered to another location.

I just felt we should know this truth about our rich past as a sign of honour to one great sons of Nkum , Ada Justine Moga Ugede, the last to contribute to this work, now called to glory.

By
LIFU,JPM.

Compiled by Mbom Maurice A

Thank you for this very detailed piece of history.