Uko Akpan: When Traditional Cultural Expressions Become Tangible

In Memoriam!

Uko Akpan: When Traditional Cultural Expressions Become Tangible

The sunsets and he joined his forebears few weeks ago. In South Southern Nigeria of Akwa Ibom State, an Annang indigene, one of the tribes in Africa created and owned a unique and transformative folkloric-traditional expressive content. It included dance, poetic oratory, and musical compositions.

Chief (Dr) Uko Akpan grew up without formal education nor silver spoon in his possession. A University in Nigeria awarded him a well-deserved doctoral degree (honoris causa) in the twilight of his years. Beyond the recognition from his people, Uko Akpan contributed enormously to creative and cultural arts of the indigenous peoples.

Growing up in my teen years in Nigeria, we watched, we danced, we chanted, and we communed to the rhythms of Uko Akpan’s flowery songs and choreographic ensemble. He had the ability to segue in lyrics from his native Annang dialect to Ibibio and Efik and the local pidgin English. His was transformative and original.

Contemporary intellectual property regimes are still struggling to protect his type of creation. However, Nigerian laws in the books protect his type of creation many may not be aware. Did anyone enforce his rights or leveraged or maximized the multiplier benefits that laid in his works? But why not? That is a story for another place and time. Now is to celebrate this great son of Africa.

Uko Akpan epitomizes the resourcefulness of human creatives in Africa, which if properly guided by competent professionals from onset could change the creative spaces unimaginably. Uko Akpan revamped the traditional, indigenous entertainment, and creative culture to tangible positives. Uko Akpan impelled creativity among young and up coming creators. Other indigenous and contemporary artists probably copied or ‘borrowed’ his works. I would say infringed, but again I digress.

He was a celebrity per excellence. A funeral rite, marriage ceremony, political rally or other celebratory activities would not be an event without Uko Akpan performing. He was in the class of Nigerian original celebrities before the Nollywood era but a saner celebrity.

Now, we that are vested in creativity and African arts must not allow the body of work of this great son of  Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, and Africa to sleep on with him in celestial bliss. Hopefully, Universities in Nigeria, particularly in Akwa Ibom state geographical area would set up a curriculum in a postgraduate level to research and study the arts and creativity of Uko Akpan for posterity. He brought us joy, memories and taught us our culture in simple practical forms. That is why Uko Akpan will live on.

Adieu Chief (Dr) Uko Akpan, Our Culture.

© Samuel Samiai Andrews, SJD.

Professor of Intellectual Property Law, University of Gondar, Ethiopia | USA Ambassador’s Distinguished Scholar, Ethiopia (February 2020).