Annang Proverbs New Perspectives: Historical Antecedents

Annang is a major language in Nigeria and one of the languages spoken by the Annang people of Akwa Ibom State, in the south-south geopolitical zone in Nigeria. The ethnic groups that make up Akwa Ibom State include Annang, which comprises of Annang speaking people of Abak, Essien Udim, Etim Ekpo, Ika, Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara, Oruk Anam and Ukanafun (Essien, 1982, Udoh, 1983, Utip 1989). Annang, according to the above sources, is the next largest dialect in the Ibibio-Efik language cluster. Mutual intelligibility exists among these groups that form the Annang language communities. However, various dialect differences also exist within this language background, (Udoka & Umoh (2021) and Essien, Ekanem, Umoh, 2023).