Genre: Moni-Nkim (Circumcision Dance)
Group Name: Masi Cultural Dance
Director: Mary Asu Samuel Ita, +234-8105723090
Performers (surname last):
Elizabeth Effa Ekpo, dance
Esther Edem Inyang, dance
Elizabeth Eyo Patrick, dance
Yvonne Eteng Zaub, dance
Prisallia Okon Louis, dance
Onwe Ekwok Livinus, nsak (shakers)
Kyrien Abuo Ebu, itakro (woodblock)
Jude Bassey Inyang, nkong otu (metal gong)
Anthony Bassey Okon, eyen ekomo (?)
Koko Otu, uboroekomo (small drums)
Edet Otu, esangibid (long drums)
Recording Location: University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross-River State, Nigeria.
Recording Date: March 16, 2020
Description:
Moni-Nkim is a traditional dance of the Ejagham people of Cross-River State of Nigeria. The word mon means child, moni means "child" or "product of". Nkim or nchim means "to cut" or "I cut", signifying circumcision.
The Nkim tradition is an institution for the “coming of age” for Ejagham maidens. While the dance is the outing ceremony to signify the successful orientation into womanhood and possible motherhood.
The dance signifies various attributes and principles of womanhood in home making, home keeping and responsible motherhood. The music and dance combine to tell a story of a young woman's experience, adding value to life and community development. Although female circumcision (also known as female genital mutilation or FGM) is no longer practiced by most communities in Cross-River State, there is still respect and importance attached to the Moni-Nkim dance especially in the Ejagham-speaking areas (in central Cross-River state). Even in the absence of the circumcision itself, the Moni-Nkim dance serves as an introduction of the maiden to family, suitors, relations and the community.
This particular recording is not part of a traditional ceremony but is rendered by a professional dance troupe located in Calabar, the major city in Cross-River State. The performance was recorded on March 16, 2020 by music faculty and students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
