Abakuá (Ñañigos)

The legend of Sikana

Shikana, the virgin woman of the Efok tribe, went to fetch water to the Oldán river.

The Oldan River is the river that separates the territories of the Efik and Ifor tribes.

Then a fish called Tanze came into the turtle with water.

Tanze was an incarnation of the god Dios Abasí, making a sound.

Thanks to Tanze's presence in the Efok tribe, the crops were abundant, the people were healthy, and they were able to hunt their prey well.

To ensure peace in the region, her father, Iyamba, decided to marry Shikana to Ifol's rival, the Efik king, Mokongo.

Peaceful times pass by the alliance, and at one point Shikana becomes her husband, Mokongo.

The secret of Tanze is revealed, and then the sacred fish dies.

And a great disaster struck both tribes.

When he asked the sorcerer Nasakó for his opinion, he accused Shikana of his actions.

As a result, Mokongo, Iyamba, and Ekueñón (judge) decide to sacrifice her.

Enkríkamo appeared when he tried to kill Shikana.

Encri Camo is a kid who sees everything, so keeps him secret

I had to start the execution.

Then Irem, the little devil (Diablito), Eribangandó, came to cleanse the shikana and prepare for the sacrificial ritual.

In addition to them, two iremes, Aberisún and Averíñan, appeared, Aberisun held down Sican, and Aberinyan killed her with a blow to her nape.

supplement:  Various attempts were made to reproduce the sound of Tanze (like a growl) using the sacred drum Eque, but it did not work, and finally the skin of Sican's body was used as the skin of Eque. Has been decided.

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There are various similar versions of the legend of Shikana, the ones above being best known in Matanzas, but among the old people of Abakua in Matanzas, Shikana did not reveal the secrets of Tanze. The theory that it was sacrificed for the people is supported.

The actual Abakua ritual is modeled after this legend, but each participant becomes a person in the legend, and the ritual is like a tragedy in a theater.

In the actual ritual, a baby goat is sacrificed instead of Shikana.