Nsibidi is a system of symbol of proto-writing developed in what is now the far South of Nigeria. They are classified as pictograms, though there have been suggestions that some are logograms or syllabograms.

The Nsibidi symbol system was first described in 1904. Excavation of Terracotta, vessels headrest and anthropomorphic figurines from the Calabar region of south south Nigeria dated to roughly the 5th to 15th centuries. It is also known as Nsibiri, Nchibiddi or Nchibiddy.

There are several hundred Nsibidi symbols. They were once taught in school to children. Many of the signs deals with love affairs. Those that deal with warefare and the sacred are kept secret.

Nsibisi is used on wall designs, calabashes, metals ( such as bronze), leaves, swords and tattoos. It is primarily used by the Epe leopard society, also known as Ngbe or Egbo, a secret society that is found in Cross River State among the Ekoi, Efik and Igbo People.

Origin of Nsibidi is associated to the Ejagham people of northern Cross River state. Nsibidi spread throughout the region and was adopted by other cultures and art, such as the Igbo, Uriar and Uli graphic design.

Nsibidi has a wide vocabulary of signs usually imprinted on calabashes, brass wave, textiles, wood sculptures, masquerader costumes, building and design on human skin.

Nsibidi was used in judgment for court cases known as Ikpe on some Cross River communities.

The Ikpe records the court as held under a tress as is the custom, the parties in the case and the chief who judge at it, as well as his staff.

In conclusion, Nsibidi is truly the only ancient write-up symbolically in Nigeria, and the entire region of West Africa. It has been replaced by western education writings. Today, Nsibidi remains among the cult members of leopard society of the southern region of Nigeria. Besides leopard society, it is used for ukara Ekpe designs.

Grace Dauda, 

Department of Museums, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Abuja.