Creek Town
Creek Town also known as Obio Oko is a town located in the present-day Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River state of Nigeria. Creek Town is known for its historical and cultural significance in the region. It is situated about Northeast from Duke Town. Creek Town was one of the city-states that made up the Old Calabar region prior to the August 1, 1904 declaration which annulled the use of the name "Old Calabar" and changed the regional name to simply "Calabar". History The town has a rich history dating back to the pre-colonial era when it served as a major trading post during the transatlantic trade. Creek Town was an important center for trade and commerce due to its strategic location along the river. The town played a significant role in the economic and cultural exchanges between local communities and foreign traders. Early History It is uncertain the year Creek Town was founded. Chief Efiong Ukpong Aye estimates the period in which Creek Town was founded as early as the 14th century. A.J.H. Latham estimates that Creek Town was founded about the end of the sixteenth century. Talbot estimates the Occupation of Creek Town to the first half of the 17th century. The indigenes of Creek Town are the Efik and the Efut. A number of accounts regarding the founding of Creek Town were narrated at the 1964 Hart's enquiry. One account states that the Efut community which form part of the Bantu stock arrived the lower Cross River in droves with the Adadia community first settling at Creek Town. The Adadia community were later driven away on the arrival of one group of the Efik who exited the island of Ndodoghi due to multiple deaths on the island. The families that made up the Efik group were the Efiom Ekpos' and the Atais'. Another account by Muri Hogan Efiong asserts that the Efuts were the earliest settlers followed by the Efik. Triangular trade to 1841 Creek Town like many other coastal communities in West Africa was a major slave trading port during the period of the Triangular slave trade. The principal slave traders were the Efik as there is no evidence to suggest that the Efut Abua community partook in the exportation of slaves. 1841 to 1884 The year 1841 marked a political change in the history of Creek Town and Old Calabar in general. Eyo Honesty II was the reigning king of Creek town and one of the most important men in old Calabar. Although the slave trade was abolished in the international community in 1812, exportation of slaves from Old Calabar was still on-going until Commander Raymond arrived with documents insisting the kings and chiefs stop the exportation of slaves from Old Calabar. These documents were signed by King Eyo Honesty II and King Eyamba V. Realising the need to transition into new economic ventures, Honesty II and Eyamba V sent numerous letters to the captains of liverpool and other supercargo captains requesting that they