Ibesikpo Asutan Day: A Masterclass in Living Heritage at Christmas Unplugged

On the ninth day of December, the Village Square at Christmas Unplugged 2025 was transformed into a living gallery of history and pride. Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area did not just perform; they presented a profound narrative of their identity, reinforcing the global cultural stature of Akwa Ibom State.

Created in 1996 and tracing its roots to Asikpo Nnakada of Usakedet, Ibesikpo Asutan is a community of seventy nine villages known for its unity and resilience. This unity was the central theme echoed by their Executive Chairman, Rt. Hon. (Evang.) Edidiong Inyang, who described his people as “a broom that cannot be broken.” He spoke of the symbols that define them: the Lion of Asutan Ekpe, the Cow of Ibesikpo, and the Green River that nourishes their fertile, trade driven land.

The event was more than a display. It was a statement of continuity. Since Christianity arrived in 1917, the community has woven this faith into their strong communal fabric without losing the threads of their ancestral legacy. This balance was on full display, celebrated by state leaders who recognized its significance. Hon. Commissioner Dr. Nsikan Linus Nkan thanked God for the clement weather and expressed gratitude to Governor Pastor Umo Eno for using festivals like Christmas Unplugged to rebuild unity through heritage. Former Speaker Dr. Aniekan Uko praised the governor’s innovative leadership and commended the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anieti Udofia, for executing the state’s tourism vision with such excellence.

But the true testament came from the people themselves. The air filled with the resonant, historic beats of the Asong drum, an instrument famously exported from Ibesikpo Asutan. Performers brought to life the expressive movements of Abiokpo and other traditional arts. Guests were treated to a feast of indigenous delicacies like Editan Etike, Efere Etike, Udep Utim, and Ikpafi Ntueni ye Fufu, each dish telling its own story of the land’s richness.

Dignitaries and royal fathers witnessed a community fully embracing its moment. The event reached its powerful climax with an electrifying performance by the Ibesikpo Asutan Ekpe, a display of raw energy and symbolic power that left no doubt: the culture of Akwa Ibom is deep, dynamic, and proudly exportable. Ibesikpo Asutan did not just participate; they made a lasting declaration of who they are.

Photos from the event