Boki, Nigeria
Encyclopedia
Boki Local Government Area (also referred to as Boki or Nki Tribe) which was created on August 28, 1991 is a geographical territory in Cross River State of Nigeria. It's capital Is Boje. It has a population of about 300,000 and a contiguous territories border with the Republic of Cameroun. Boki bears a national and international reputation for being a major commercial centre where forest and internationally quoted agricultural commodities such as cocoa, coffee, timber, palm products, etc. are sourced and supplied for international consumption.
Boki Local Government Area is bounded in the west by Ogoja, north by Obudu, south by Ikom Local Government Areas while in the east, it is bounded by the Republic of Cameroun. With Boje its headquarters, Boki has about fourteen major communities including Iso-Bendeghe, Bansan-Osokom, Nsadop Abo, Okundi, Iman, Bateriko, Bumaji, Orimekpang, Wula, Buardwr, Natamarte and Kakwagom. Like other local government areas, Boki has its own culture and tradition which distinguishes it from others. As regards dressing, men use loin clothes upon a white long sleeve shirt and a broad to match with a walking stick, while women tie two wrappers upon a blouse and head scale. Its major cultural and traditional festival include Boki new yam festival, Irruan Boki Local Government Area, Edien festival, Borum and cassava festival. During these festivals and other social occasions, some popular music including Obam, Mgbe, Atam, Obon, Bekarim, Awaribo, Obashi and Enya-Atu are played. And evident in any African society, Boki has a social life-style which was handed down from generation to generation include inter-village cultural dance, age grade meetings, circumcision festivals, burial ceremonies and communal farming.
Traditional market days in Boki include Okundi market day, Ntamarte market day, Kakwagom market day and Wula market day. The ubiquity of habitat for wild life as represented by the thickly forested vegetation and unique topology of Boki continues to be a delight for Environmental Action Groups and conservationists. No wonder Okwargwo Division of the Cross River Park, a brain child of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) was established in Boki, it provides a spectacular opportunity to witness wildlife in their natural habitat.
Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary
The Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary was created in May 2000 and is managed by the Cross River State Forestry Commission. Protection and research is sponsored by a partnership of four NGOs (Pandrillus, Wildlife Conservation Society, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Fauna & Flora International) with government. After generations of hunting, Afi’s gorillas, chimpanzees, drills and other endangered species are shy and need a few more years of good protection before they will be easily seen.
Afi's gorillas belong to the most endangered subspecies of the Cross River gorilla. Day hikes or multi-day treks can be arranged by Drill Ranch. There are modest, additional fees required which are collected by Drill Ranch on behalf of the Forestry Commission. Afi Mountain is listed as an ‘Important Bird Area’ for Nigeria, and the migratory swallow roost at Boje is one of the largest in Africa. Bird-watchers are welcome, but mist-netting is not permitted except by special arrangement with the state wildlife authorities.
Over the years Boki has been Notorious for communal wars, the most recent happened in 2010 over a farmland tussle between the Nsadop and Boje communities, it claimed an estimated 230 million naira in property damage, about 400 human lives were lost, and approximately 6000 people were terribly affected by the war. As of 2011, its damaged fence walls are being reconstructed. Homes broken down in the raid are undergoing repair. Destroyed and looted fittings and furniture are replaced, thanks to the Cross River State government which has sent relief materials.
The government also took over the rebuilding process. Over 50 units out of hundreds of detached two-bedroom flats are being constructed as compensation for the burnt or demolished houses of the over 6,000 victims of the invasion. Women and children were the worst victims of the invasion.
In 2001, six autonomous communities in the LGA protested against the State's refusal to create a separate Boki North council and threatened to join neighboring Cameroon.
Boki Local Government Area is bounded in the west by Ogoja, north by Obudu, south by Ikom Local Government Areas while in the east, it is bounded by the Republic of Cameroun. With Boje its headquarters, Boki has about fourteen major communities including Iso-Bendeghe, Bansan-Osokom, Nsadop Abo, Okundi, Iman, Bateriko, Bumaji, Orimekpang, Wula, Buardwr, Natamarte and Kakwagom. Like other local government areas, Boki has its own culture and tradition which distinguishes it from others. As regards dressing, men use loin clothes upon a white long sleeve shirt and a broad to match with a walking stick, while women tie two wrappers upon a blouse and head scale. Its major cultural and traditional festival include Boki new yam festival, Irruan Boki Local Government Area, Edien festival, Borum and cassava festival. During these festivals and other social occasions, some popular music including Obam, Mgbe, Atam, Obon, Bekarim, Awaribo, Obashi and Enya-Atu are played. And evident in any African society, Boki has a social life-style which was handed down from generation to generation include inter-village cultural dance, age grade meetings, circumcision festivals, burial ceremonies and communal farming.
Traditional market days in Boki include Okundi market day, Ntamarte market day, Kakwagom market day and Wula market day. The ubiquity of habitat for wild life as represented by the thickly forested vegetation and unique topology of Boki continues to be a delight for Environmental Action Groups and conservationists. No wonder Okwargwo Division of the Cross River Park, a brain child of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) was established in Boki, it provides a spectacular opportunity to witness wildlife in their natural habitat.
Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary
The Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary was created in May 2000 and is managed by the Cross River State Forestry Commission. Protection and research is sponsored by a partnership of four NGOs (Pandrillus, Wildlife Conservation Society, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Fauna & Flora International) with government. After generations of hunting, Afi’s gorillas, chimpanzees, drills and other endangered species are shy and need a few more years of good protection before they will be easily seen.
Afi's gorillas belong to the most endangered subspecies of the Cross River gorilla. Day hikes or multi-day treks can be arranged by Drill Ranch. There are modest, additional fees required which are collected by Drill Ranch on behalf of the Forestry Commission. Afi Mountain is listed as an ‘Important Bird Area’ for Nigeria, and the migratory swallow roost at Boje is one of the largest in Africa. Bird-watchers are welcome, but mist-netting is not permitted except by special arrangement with the state wildlife authorities.
Over the years Boki has been Notorious for communal wars, the most recent happened in 2010 over a farmland tussle between the Nsadop and Boje communities, it claimed an estimated 230 million naira in property damage, about 400 human lives were lost, and approximately 6000 people were terribly affected by the war. As of 2011, its damaged fence walls are being reconstructed. Homes broken down in the raid are undergoing repair. Destroyed and looted fittings and furniture are replaced, thanks to the Cross River State government which has sent relief materials.
The government also took over the rebuilding process. Over 50 units out of hundreds of detached two-bedroom flats are being constructed as compensation for the burnt or demolished houses of the over 6,000 victims of the invasion. Women and children were the worst victims of the invasion.
In 2001, six autonomous communities in the LGA protested against the State's refusal to create a separate Boki North council and threatened to join neighboring Cameroon.