History Of Ugep

Ugep (also known as Umor Otutu)as it is popularly called is one of the largest units that constitute Yakurr and were referred to as the largest village in West Africa, it’s indigenes speaks the Lokaa Language which is the general language spoken in Yakurr.

Ugep originated from a place or village called “Akpa”in the Eastern Ejagham race in the central senatorial district of Cross River State, Nigeria.

The reason why the people of Ugep left Akpa was due to a religious clash between the two paternal families that makes up Akpa in the ritual rites performance, in the death of a person from either of the tribe.

However, failure of the Ugep people to do the ritual performance for the deceased person is what led to “The Great Trek” where the people of Akpa pursed the people of Ugep out of the village, a man called “Edem Omilakpa” who was tired and weak with is pregnant wife, pushed a stone from the Akpa warriors and the stone killed all the warriors and landed at the feet of the king of Akpa, that ends the war between Akpa and the people of Ugep, but the great trek continues to as: Ancient wonder and savior stone.

The people of Ugep did not just leave Akpa without any cultural heritage, they left with most of the cultures that were practiced in Akpa and that is the culture practice till date.

Ugep is administered by the Obol Lopon of Ugep who is the chief priest of Ojokoboi(A fertility spirit)he is the central figure in the administrative system with powerful priest call Bi-Nah with their religious role, like the Atewa Wu-kang kang and opebelede as the chief celebrant of the Ugep New Yam Festival which is now one of the renown festival in Cross River State and was rebranded to international festival, which is now one of the reown festivals in Cross River State.