Boki

Boki Local Government Area is in the Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State. The headquarter is located at Boje. It was created on 28 August 1991. The region has a contiguous border with the Republic of Cameroon and is known internationally as a commercial centre for agricultural commodities such as cocoa, coffee, timber, and palm products.

Geography

Boki Local Government Area is bounded in the west by Ogoja, north by Obudu, south by Ikom Local Government Areas while in the west, it is bounded by the Republic of Cameroun.

The region is considered to have some of the most rugged terrain in Nigeria, for it is almost completely covered by the Cross River Rain forest (one of the last remaining in the country) and the Afi mountain range.

History

Local Government Wards

There are eleven wards in the local government area. The wards are:

PEOPLE AND LANGUAGE

FESTIVALS
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 characteristics of 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.

CULTURE

Traditional dress for men consists of loincloths and a white long-sleeved shirt with a broad hat. Some men also carry a walking stick. Women usually wear wrappers or a blouse, and head scarf.

TOURISM

Oku-Buabakong Boadi, Oku Boki

Agba Hills and Cave, Agba

Boje Hills

Boje Swallow Birds

Drill Ranch, Buanchor

Cross River National Park

Mbe Mountains, Kangang

Abi Wildlife Sanctuary

TRADITION
The Boki people give the region different traditions and customs that are unique to the district. Traditional dress for men consists of loincloths and a white long-sleeved shirt with a broad hat. Some men also carry a walking stick. Women usually wear wrappers or a blouse, and head scarf.

Major events include the Boki New Yam Festival, Alobe festival in Irruan and Etcen in Borum & Cassava Festivals. Music and dance are common in Boki culture and are played during festivals as well as social occasions. Common instruments include: the Obam, Mgbe, Ndugho, Etcheh, Atam, Obon, Bekarim, Awaribo, Obashi and Enya-Atu. Other traditions include inter-village cultural dance, festivals, age-grade meetings, burial ceremonies and communal farming.

Boki is notorious for its practice of male and female circumcision, as well as forced marriages. In July 2000, female genital mutilation was made illegal by the government of Cross River State in an attempt to stop violence and abuse against women. The penalty for such actions is a fine of up to 10,000 naira (US$62) or a prison sentence up three years.

Boki is also known for its traditional African markets and many towns have their own market days, such as in Okundi, Ntamarte, Kakwagom, Wula and Katchuan.

POLITICAL ADMINISTRATION

TRADITIONAL MARKET DAYS

Traditional market days in Boki include Okundi market day, Ntamarte market day, Kakwagom market day and Wula market day

MINERALS

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

HEALTH INSTITUTIONS

INDUSTRIAL ESTATES IN BOKI

Integrated Cocoa Estate, Iso-Badeghe

Nsadop Oil Palm Estate, Nsadop

Boki Oil Palm Estate, Bohum

Boje Cocoa Estate, Boje

Integrated Cocoa Estate, Wula

Integrated Cocoa Estate, Banba

Integrated Cocoa Estate, Bumyia Uruan

PAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN