Egbo

The Egbo was a male hierarchical association consisting of several ranks, each of which had a distinctive costume.

The Serpent and the Rainbow Wade Davis 1985

Besides this secular authority, however, there was a second and perhaps more powerful social and political force, a secret society called the Egbo, or leopard society.

The Serpent and the Rainbow Wade Davis 1985

A powerful bond of union among the Efik, and one that gives them considerable influence over other tribes, is the secret society known as the Egbo (_q. v.

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" Various

Of course the higher a man is in Egbo rank, the greater his power and security, for lower grades cannot proceed against higher ones.

Travels in West Africa 2003

I gave them a good start, and then made the best of my way home; and all that night Duke Town howled, and sang, and thumped its tom-toms unceasingly; for I was told Egbo had come into the town.

Travels in West Africa 2003

Mendis; the Egugun of the Egbas; the Egbo of the Duallas; and the

Two Trips to Gorilla Land and the Cataracts of the Congo 2003

“Egbo floggings” of the utmost severity, equalling the knout;

Two Trips to Gorilla Land and the Cataracts of the Congo 2003

Egbo has the most grades of initiation, except perhaps Poorah, and it exercises jurisdiction over all classes of crime except witchcraft.

Travels in West Africa 2003

Any Effik man who desires to become an influential person in the tribe must buy himself into as high a grade of Egbo as he can afford, and these grades are expensive, 1,500 pounds or

Travels in West Africa 2003

Egbo is very coy, even for a secret society spirit, and seems to loathe publicity; but when he is ensconced in this ark he utters sententious observations on the subject of current politics, and his word is law.

Travels in West Africa 2003