The Source of the Report. On Page II of my Preface to Volume I, “Kalabari Clan Conferences at Abalama on the Intelligence Report, 1935,” I draw the attention of readers to the fact that it was agreed that, the Kalagbeas should narrate the works of their ancestors during the forthcoming meeting and that the Jacks…
OBA (ALIAS GBOBO): STANDFAST JACK II. a) He Resuscitated the House: By this time both Oba (Gbobo) and Oruwari (Briggs) had become prosperous enough to participate in the palm oil trade which called for a greater capital. As the reader might have seen from the “History of the Owiye Chieftaincy or House” on pages 14…
I have already released the following publications in connection with Captain Kelsey’s Intelligence Report of 1935 on the Kalabari District of the then Degema Division:- Kalabari Clan Conferences At Abalama on the Intelligence Report 1935. Volume I. Kalabari Clan Conferences At Degema on the Intelligence Report 1935. Volume II. Intelligence Report Conferences At Abonnema By…
The Foremost Characteristic of the 18th – 20th Century History of Kalabari: Almost every Chief, professional man, business man, pensioner, farmer, petty trader as well as the student, has had a copy of Volume I and has since been expecting Volume II with breathless silence. I thank you immensely for your patience. Here is a…
PEREBO-KALA-IBARI The Correct Name and its Meaning: It is important to point out just at this early stage of the history that the original name of the founder and first ancestor of Kalabari was “PEREBO-KALA-IBARI” NOT “PEREBO-KELE-KE-IBARI”. “Perebo-kele-ke-Ibari” is the full translation of the original Ijaw name into the modern dialect now spoken by the…
AMACHREE THE GREAT How the Height of Amachree’s Greatness Affected Common Knowledge of His History King Amachree I was the most famous of Kalabari Kings. Like Julius Caesar, he went; he saw; he conquered, to build up a more extensive Kalabari in the eighteenth century. Read what Dr. P. Amaury Talbot writes about him in…
In 1935, Captain Kelsey, the then District officer, Degema, was instructed by his superiors to compile an Intelligent Report on Kalabari. To get the information required he, in turn, ordered the Kalabari chiefs to meet with a view to furnishing him with the necessary details which included such topics as the Origin of Kalabari, Ancient…