EKPO

EKPO When echo of the big ekpo drumsReverberated from the village squareTalking drums, conveyed messagesThat could only be decipheredBy trained ears of the initiates, the cult,The community’s society guided their steps Dom – Dom – Dom, the drums beatThe white man knows his bookWe, the sons of the soil, know ekpo Everywhere became black and darkNot by threatening rain cloud, nor smokeBut by masquerading guiding spiritsOf our customs and values in the clansWhen criminals and evil doers were nailedFrom head, pinned to the ground, in disgrace Dom – Dom – Dom, the drums beatThe white man knows his bookWe, the sons of the soil, know ekpo Ekpo danced and jumped over the roofAkpan ekpo, possessed by a skull, ran wild,Was restrained by two hefty men with ropesChildren, women and non initiates stayed awayThe eighth month had its peak and taboosThat was the spiritual cleansing of the land The drums are not beating anymoreWe, the sons of the soil, who knew ekpoNow know book and ekpo is history. Criminals are running wild, nowWith reckless abandon and impunityThieves, no longer afraid of being knownKill, steal and swear in God’s holy name,Blab blabs blab ‘the evidence I shall give…’And the accused is discharged and acquitted