Table 2 Birds parts used and reasons
Animal | Part used | Use and use method | Reason(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
Crowned eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus | Covert feathers3 | - Decoration | Traditional inherited practice |
Skull and feathers1 | - Sold to Nigerians | For money | |
White feathers1,3 | - Decoration | Decorate Ekpe sorcerers | |
- Wear on caps of members of the Ekpe society and tradi-practitioners | It is a loyal bird and denotes hierarchy between members of the Ekpe | ||
- Sold to strangers and especially to Nigerians | For money | ||
Head and limbs1 | - Sold to Nigerians | For money | |
Hornbills Tockus spp.; | Skull and feathers1 | - Sold to Nigerians | For money |
Feathers (white and black)3 | - Decoration | Denotes hierarchy between members of Ekpe | |
- Decoration | For Ekpe traditional dance ceremonies | ||
Head (Figure 17), limbs, feathers and tail1,4 | - Indicators of witches and wizards: used by tradi-practitioners | Not revealed | |
- Sold to Nigerians | For money | ||
Meat4 | - For protection: dry, grind and apply on cuts made on the body using razor blade | Traditional inherited practice | |
Barn owl Tyto alba | Head and feathers1 | - Sold to Nigerians | For money |
Black kite Milvus migrans | Feathers3 | - Decorate caps | Denotes hierarchy between members of Ekpe |
Head and limbs1 | - Sold to Nigerians | For money | |
Meat4 | - Consumed only by elders in traditional meals | Traditional inherited practice | |
Green sunbird Anthreptes rectirostris | Feathers1 | - Sold to Nigerians | For money |
African pygmy kingfisher Ispidina picta | Limbs and feathers1,3 | - Sold to Nigerians | For money |
- Wear on caps of chiefs of Ekpe | Denotes hierarchy between members | ||
African palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus | Blood4 | - Apply on body cuts of women during the “monenkim” dance ceremony | Believed that the women will dance better |
Palmnut Vulture Gypohierax angolensis | Skull and feathers | - Sold to Nigerians | For money |
Feathers (Figure 18)1,3,4 | - Decoration of traditional dresses | Denotes hierarchy between Ekpe members | |
- For protection: burn, grind and apply on cuts made on the body with a razor blade | Traditional inherited practice | ||
- Wear on caps | Denotes respect and hierarchy | ||
Black guineafowl Agelastes niger | Feathers3 | - Decoration of caps of members of Ekpe | Denotes hierarchy between Ekpe members |
African grey parrot Psittacus erithacus | Skull, feathers, tail and limbs1 | - Sold to Nigerians | For money |
Red tail feathers1,3,4 (Figure 13) | - Decorate the masquerades during the Obasinjom traditional dance ceremony | Beautifies the masquerade | |
- For protection and decoration: wear on caps of members of Ekpe | Denotes hierarchy between members of Ekpe as it is considered to be a loyal and honored bird. The red feathers represent the bloodshed by ancestors during tribal wars | ||
- Sold to Nigerians | For money | ||
Head1 | - Sold to Nigerians | For money | |
- Treats stomachache: grind and mix with the bark of Okan Cylicodiscus gabonensis and Ilomba Pycnanthus angolensis then purge | Medicinal | ||
Head and feathers1 | - Sold to Nigerians | For money | |
Great blue turaco Corythaeola cristata | Feathers1,3 (Figure 19) | - Treats whooping cough: burn and mix with medicines and palm kernel oil | Medicinal |
- Decoration | Denotes hierarchy between members of Ekpe | ||
- Wear by the Obasinjom masquerade | Traditional inherited practice | ||
Blue feather3 | - Decoration | Identifies members of sacred societies | |
Feathers1 | - Sold to Nigerians | For money | |
Head1 | - Sold to Nigerians | For money |