IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

International Journal of Engineering and Modern Technology (IJEMT )

E-ISSN 2504-8848
P-ISSN 2695-2149
VOL. 11 NO. 5 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijemt.vol.11.no5.2025.pg245.261

---

Ekpeye Architecture Culture: Ekpeye's Culture Influenced Built Identity

Amala, Obutor Faith, Culture

---

Abstract

Traditional architecture amplified through regional identity and heritage, use of local materials, reflection of local customs and traditions, craftsmanship and community involvement distinguishes the traditional architecture of minority tribes of Nigeria with characteristic influence of culture. The Ekpeye Ethnic group, located within the northern area of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria had its traditional architecture influenced by active and passive cultural practices. The cultural influence in traditional architecture was evident from initiation, the perceived idea of owning a property, the design of the property, construction and residence in the designed space. The culture caused the belief system in Ekpeye's gradual influence on inhabitants that culture became intertwined in the everyday life of the Ekpeye person. The study traced the subtle and gradual transfer of traditional built practices to children to the continuous reminder through social activities in adulthood, up to its preservation by the aged. The culture influenced architecture differentiated the built forms according to belief system, social strata and traditional leadership. The research lent credence to the compound word architecture-culture and illustrated the existence of the same in the traditional architecture of a simple yet remote traditional ethnic group of Ekpeye in Rivers State.

keywords:

Ekpeye, Architecture Culture, Built Identity

---

References:

Abi, A. O. (2010). The Ekpeye people of the Niger Delta: A study of their cultural practices and
traditions (PhD thesis, University of Port Harcourt).
Abi, A. O. (2013). The Ekpeye people of the Niger Delta: A study of their cultural practices.
International Journal of African Studies, 2(1), 1-12.
Adikema C. O. 2024 incepts from interview with Clara O. Adikema, Geography major, retired
teacher from Ekpeye
Adikema V. U. 2024 incepts from interview with VictorU. Adikema, military personnel, and
traditional history researcher.
Adikema 2024 ; : Transcribed interview with legal practitioner and narrated experience of
Mr Chizhim E. Adikema
Alagoa, E. J. (1972). A history of the Niger Delta: An historical interpretation of Ijo oral
tradition. Ibadan University Press.
Allagoa, E. J. (2006). The land and people of Rivers State: Eastern Niger Delta. Onyoma
Research Publications.
Amakiri, J. (2015). Ekpeye cultural festivals and their significance. In Proceedings of the
International Conference on African Culture and Development (pp. 123-135).
Anyike 2024 : the transcribed interview with historian and Chief in charge of history
and Artefacts Chief Anyike.
Eke, S. J. (2015). The impact of colonialism on Ekpeye cultural heritage: A historical
perspective (PhD thesis, University of Nigeria).
Eke, S. J. (2017). The impact of colonialism on Ekpeye cultural heritage. Journal of
Cultural Heritage, 24, 35-44.
(Ekine 2024) : transcribed interview with historian and Author Vincent Ekine
Ekine 2021: Niger Delta Region and Natural Resource Exploitation; A historical
Appraisal of Environmental impact. Gift V. Ekine, BA (Hons.). History Ekpeye
Cultural Heritage Centre Ahoada Ahoada East LGA Rivers State Nigeria By Gift V
Ekine. Published 2021 in http// www.academia.edu. Environmental
Sustainability
Ekine (2017): Proximity and extremity – discourse on the linkage history of ekpeye people from
the benin empire by gift v ekine, published in http//www.academia.edu. in 2017
Ekine 2019: History, Peace and Conflict Studies, Globalisation and Development
Ekine 2019: Conserving the Cultural Values and Institutions in Ekpeyeland as key to
Sustainable National Development. By Gift V Ekine. A (HISTORY ) HONS
Ekpeye Cultural Heritage Centre, Ekpeye House Off Abua Road Ahoada Rivers
State. Published 2019. Cultural History, Cultural Studies, Political Sociology,
African Studies, Indigenous Studies. http//www.academia.edu.
Ekine (2017): Proximity and Extremity 2 by Gift V Ekine, University of Port Harcourt,
History and Diplomatic studies, Published in academia. 2017.
https://www.academia.edu/38446261/Proximity_and_Extremity_2_pdf
Eleh 1998 : Elle Nnamdi Architecture, evolution and transformation 1998
Eleh 2016: Nnamdi Eleh KEY WORD “OKA’
Han P. (2024) Formal Feature Identification of Vernacular Architecture Based on Deep
Learning—A Case Study of Jiangsu Province, China. Pingyi Han 1, Shenjian Hu 1,*
and Rui Xu 2, Sustainability 2024 17 Nov, 1760 .
Ideozu 1991 : Ekpeye under British Rule 2895 _1960. Thesis. Unpublished University of Port Harcourt. 1991
Ijere 2024 : The transcribed series of interviews with broadcaster, Jounalist,
Historian and High chief in Charge of information and History inEze Ekeye
Logbo in council and EKpeye council of Chiefs : Chief Vincent Ijere.
Ikime, O. (1980). The fall of Nigeria: The British conquest of Southern Nigeria, 1897-
1914. Heinemann Educational Books.Horton, R. (1969). Kalabari ekine: A delta
Igbo festival. Nigerian Museum.
Imo 2024: transcribed telephone interview with associate professor of Art and Culture ,
assoc.Prof Imo Edward, University of Port Harcourt.
Mato, T. U. (2019). Ekpeye architecture: A reflection of their cultural values.
International Journal of Architectural Research, 13(2), 42-53.
Northrup, D. (1978). Trade without rulers: Pre-colonial economic development in southEastern Nigeria. Clarendon Press.
Nwosu, N. A. (2018). The role of Ekpeye traditional architecture in modern urban plan. In
Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Sustainable Urban Planning
(pp.456-465).
Niger Delta Cultural Association. (2019). Ekpeye people of the Niger Delta.
Nwuche 2024: The decay of cultural performances in ekpeye land: a focus on nwokologbo
dance. by Nwuche Micheal Nwuche, Iloma N.R. PhD. Published
2024, Journal of Religion and Human relations (JORHR).
Obuzor. 2024 : : transcribed interview with Retired Lecturer of architecture Arc Nnandi O. Obuzor.
Odoi 2024 : a transcribed interview with a retired teacher and High Chief, Chief. Theresa Odoi,
Harcourt estate, Ahoada town, Nigeria.
Okorobia, A. M. (2007). The Ekpeye people: Their culture and traditions. Snaap Press.
Oyebade, A. (2003). The Ekpeye people of the Niger Delta: A historical survey. Journal of
African Studies, 4(1), 1-15.
Tamuno, T. N. (1970). The Evolution of the Niger Delta. In Proceedings of the
Conference on the History and Culture of the Niger Delta (pp. 1-15).
Turgut (2023) Evaluation of the Conservation of Modern Architectural Heritage through
Ankara’s Public Buildings Nevin Turgut Gültekin Gazi University, Faculty of
Architecture, Yükseli? Sokak No.5, 06570 Maltepe, Ankara, Turkey,
neving@gazi.edu.tr
Ukwu, U. I. (1969). The Igbo and their neighbours. In Proceedings of the Conference on
the Igbo and their Neighbours (pp. 123-135).
Wogu, A. N. (2014). The Ekpeye people and their cultural heritage. International Journal
of Cultural Studies, 7(1), 1-12.
Yusuf, A. B. (2017). The significance of Ekpeye traditional architecture in modern urban
planning. Journal of Urban Planning and Development, 143(2), 04017002.
Zhao H. (2024) Architectural spatial distribution and network connectivity
characteristics of ancient military towns in Southwest China: a case study of
Qingyan Ancient Town in Guiyang Yaxing Zhao1, HuiwenZhao et al. Heritage
Science (2024) 12:40 Xiang2,3† and Zongsheng Huang

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back