EFIK DAMSEL

Arrayed in beauty and glamour
She oozes class from head to toe
She stands tall and elegant
Yes, you can spot her in the crowd
As a golden fish has no hiding place

Her hairstyle, an appearance of a crowned queen
It's made in an elaborate pattern
Flowing down her back
It's very well and beautifully decorated
With designed brass hairpins and combs

On her neck and hands, coral beads you'll see
It compliments her 'Onyonyo'
A similitude of Queen Elizabeth's gown
You can call it Elizabethan gown
It's a well designed flowing gown
That sits perfectly on the damsel's frame
And she holds a staff indicating royalty

Sometimes she wears 'Ofong ukod awan'
A blouse and beads covering her bust
With a knee-length wrapper on her waist
It's decorated with body paint and ornaments

'Ekpaku nkwa' designs her arms and legs
Made of beautiful and colourful beads
An Ekombi dance and in this outfit-
A rhythmic movement of the back
Every eye stay glued to her

She is beautiful both in and out
Civilized by culture and nature
She is peaceful, loving, caring
And gentle like a dove

When she cooks
Every tasting tongue can confess
When she speaks
Her words are well seasoned
Good diction and nice accent
Yes, Efiks were the first to embrace Western Education in Nigeria
She hails from Calabar
Cross River State - Nigeria
And I call her 'Efik Damsel'


Written by
Alice Asuquo