The Efik people of South-Eastern Nigeria have a rich cultural heritage, and their traditional system of governance is unique and fascinating. One of the most intriguing aspects of Efik culture is the institution of kingship, which is characterized by the use of two crowns. The Efik king that wore two crowns was King Eyo Honesty II, who ruled over the Efik Kingdom from 1906 to 1948.
King Eyo Honesty II was a remarkable leader who was known for his wisdom, diplomacy, and progressive policies. He was born in 1870, and was the son of King Eyo Ita, who was also a prominent ruler of the Efik Kingdom.
Eyo Honesty II was educated at the Hope Waddell Training Institute in Calabar, and he later went on to study law in England. Upon his return to Nigeria, he was appointed as a magistrate, and he quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the most influential leaders in the country.
As the king of the Efik people, Eyo Honesty II had a dual role as both the political and spiritual leader of his people. This was reflected in the two crowns that he wore, which symbolized his authority in both domains.
The first crown, known as the Obong Ekpuk (his means ruler of all clans. This means he seats as the ruling head/leader of all the clans that makes up the Efik society.), was worn during political and secular events, and it represented the king’s power as a ruler and administrator. The second crown, known as the Obong Ita (this means; the one who stood as a mediator between the gods and the people) was worn during religious and spiritual ceremonies, and it represented the king’s authority as a mediator between the people and the gods.
This is why the goddess of the land appears to the King and he can see them. Whenever things get worse in the land, the king goes into his chambers and consults the gods one on one.
Eyo Honesty II was a visionary leader who was committed to modernizing the Efik Kingdom and improving the lives of his people. He introduced a number of reforms that were aimed at promoting education, health, and economic development. He also worked to strengthen the traditional institutions of the Efik people, while at the same time adapting them to the changing times.
For example, he established a council of chiefs that were responsible for advising him on matters of governance, and he also created a system of taxation that was used to fund public works and services.
Despite his many accomplishments, Eyo Honesty II faced a number of challenges during his reign. One of the most significant of these challenges was the colonial occupation of Nigeria by the British.
The British authorities sought to exert control over the traditional rulers of the country, and they often clashed with King Eyo Honesty II over issues of governance and authority. However, Eyo Honesty II was a skilled diplomat, and he was able to navigate these challenges with grace and tact.
In conclusion, the Efik king that wore two crowns, King Eyo Honesty II, was a remarkable leader who left a lasting legacy in the history of Nigeria. His dual role as both the political and spiritual leader of the Efik people was reflected in the two crowns that he wore, and his commitment to modernization and development was evident in his many reforms and policies.
Despite the challenges that he faced, he remained steadfast in his commitment to his people and his culture, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest kings in the history of the Efik people in Nigeria.
Story Source – Miss Esther Essien Ukpong,
2nd Runner Up, FONDCUP 2022/2023
Photo Credit – Wikimedia
The man in these photographs is not King Eyo Honesty II. He died in 1858 and there are no existing photographs of him. Eyo Honesty II did not attend HWTI – it wasn’t even founded as an institution until 1895, after his death.
The man in these photographs is King Duke IX.