In this article, platinumtimes.ng gives brief facts about Ugep Town, Yakurr, Cross River State.
Ugep(Umor) is a town in Yakurr Local Government Area in Cross River State, southern Nigeria. The village is populated by the Yakurr people.
The people of Ugep are one of the most educated, enlightened; Liberated, egalitarian, industrious, resourceful, courageous, political conscious of all in Cross River State and brave men and women of substance in the Nigerian political arena.
Natives of Ugep speaks the Lokaa Language which is the general language spoken in Yakurr.
Their origin can be traced to a Village called “Akpa” in the Eastern Ejagham race in the Central senatorial district of Cross River State, Nigeria.
The Ugep people migrated from Akpa because of a religious clash between the two paternal families that makes up Akpa in the ritual rites performance in the decease of the death of a person from either of the tribe.
Their traditional head is called the Obol Lopon, he is the chief priest of Ojokobi (A fertility spirit) he is the central figure in the administrative system. He does not wear clothes and shoes but only ties a wrapper round his waist with a cap and chewing stick in his mouth.
Ugep town is considered Internationally as a civilized place with attraction sites including the Ketabebe monolith Asa historical monument, Uleng and kiwel, Ekumini Del, Mma Itam Kema of Yatiyomoh, Ojokobi Deity and Ojonen etc.
The Leboku New Yam festival is celebrated in Ugep.
It is celebrated annually to appease the goddess of fertility and purification ‘Ekoi Leboku’. It marks the end of a work cycle and the beginning of a new farming season.
The festival heralds the new Yam harvest with cultural performances like music, dances and activities such as Public parade of engaged maidens, Wrestling contest and cultural dances, Procession of the “Etangala” masquerade, Colorful costumes and new yam delicacies, Beauty contest and marriage rites amongst others.
Over the years, this festival has evolved to an international event which attracts visitors across different works of life to Ugep town and this has help to boost the economy of the Ugep people and the state at large.
Their delicacies is also a vital aspect of their identity, they include Ejakpo(smother part of cassava leaf), Yedamblongh ( salad with mixed fresh palm oil with paper and kola), Ebelebele(cassava when slice and cook and left till the next day), pounded yam etc.
Ugep people are lovers of truth and transparency, hardworking; courageous, brave; resourceful, well-educated and mostly farmers and fishermen.
Ugep town is an accommodating area for all foreigners as they do not believe in discrimination and sentiment, they are peace loving people and there is always enough of food for all but at some time, they can be cannibalistic.