Behold Raffia Palm: The Akwa Ibom State Tree

By UbongAbasi Ise

The executive body of Akwa Ibom State government really deserves commendation for capturing raffia palm development under agriculture in the 2018 budget proposal. Before now, there was growing fear that the plant may go extinct given the manner it has been exploited without priority in the cultivation of the plant. Despite the ray of hope being brought by the state government, there is continued concern regarding the issue of funding as well as the speed the government would likely take in implementing this laudable project.

Indeed, the centrality of raffia palm tree in the economic, political, socio-cultural, and religious life of traditional Akwa Ibom society cannot be overemphasized.  There is hardly a plant that touches the soul of societies in the state the way raffia palm tree does. While interacting with Dr. Clement Ekong, the Head of Department, Fine and Industrial Arts in the University of Uyo, The Sensor gathered the gamut of derivatives coming from this viable plant right from the leaf to the root. According to Dr Ekong, the whole of the tree is useful economically, socially, culturally, and medicinally, and a lot of families are depending on the tree for livelihood.  From the raffia palm, the piassava (Nyang) is used for tying and binding bamboo together, especially in the construction of traditional buildings such as mud houses and fences. The tie-tie (Idit or Idut), which is taken from a part of the bamboo that is linking the stem, is used in making Ikat (baskets), Nkikan, Ikpo (climbing ropes), stools and so on. The raffia itself is used in making mats, shoes, hat, cap, belt, etc. Also, beds, chairs and other furniture are made from the bamboo of raffia palm tree. The sap of the tree produces gummy material (mbabak ukot) which is used as sealant. Instead of using bitumen or starch, this material can be smeared on the surface of anything, and when it dries up, it seals the pores. Even the larva (nten) and pupa (mkpurikpu) that live in the decaying trunk are local delicacies. The root and other produce from the raffia palm could be used medicinally.

In Akwa Ibom state, there is hardly a traditional festivity being done without the consumption of palm wine and local gin commonly called ogogoro or ufofop, brewed from the fermented palm wine. At most bars and hangouts, these drinks are favorites.

In the words of Dr. Ekong, “a typical Ibibio or Annang person would send his children to school without occupation other than palm wine tapping.” In fact, this submission underscores the economic relevance of the tree to the most indigenes of the state.

Looking at the socio-cultural aspect of it, Ekong noted that materials from raffia are used for ekpo and ekpe costumes, and it has featured significantly in the entertainment industry. In his words, “the raffia is used by a lot of masquerades for the costumes. So it is the dependable source of costumes for ekpe, ekpo nyogho, ekpo ntok, and all kinds of masquerades. As you can see, the raffia palm tree has produced something that is good for the entertainment industry.

 “When you are talking about traditional marriage, you are talking about palm tree. No matter how devoted a Christian is, or the level of individual’s religiosity, things from raffia palm would be relevant: they would need the palm wine; they would need bamboo for the booth where the about-to-be-wedded or the newly wedded are seated.”

Given the essentiality of the raffia palm materials to the arts industry, the Fine and Industrial Arts HOD lamented how this all-important plant is facing extinction due to lackadaisical attitude towards raffia cultivation while stressing how the cost of buying raffia palm materials for the designs today are going up because of scarcity.

He suggested that if the state government earnestly embarks on massive raffia palm tree plantation, it would increase the state’s GDP. The University don warned about the dangers of depending solely on crude oil as a lot of experts are currently doing research that would take away the use of crude oil.

To curb the challenge of extinction, Ekong called on individuals, families and organizations to develop interest in the planting of raffia palm tree. He averred that with raffia palm plantation, the state government could establish craft and wine industries and create employment for the youths.

However, Mr. Elias Akpan , who runs an enterprise that basically uses raffia palm and other domestic raw materials to produce attractive suitcases, conference bags, shoes, belts purses, kits, mirrors, hand fans, and stools and several other items, once told The Sensor at Made in Akwa Ibom Product Exhibition organized by the state’s Ministry of Investment, Commerce and Industry that government should establish  raffia palm plantations at certain areas where majority of people are skilled in craftsmanship.

“I think government should plan on how to grow raffia palm plantation in some of the areas endowed with this kind of craft such as Itam, Ikot Ekpene, and Obot Akara. Since most residents at these areas are gifted in this kind of profession, they should be provided with raffia palm plantation that would feed their factories with raw materials,” said Akpan.

As the state is pursuing industrialization agenda, it would be very apt to make raffia palm a state tree given its all-around uses and significance in the entire way of life of the people of Akwa Ibom State.

The Sensor Agric Suite.