Let’s talk about the place of the woman in Ibibio land and particularly Etinan, where I come from.

Before the advent of Christianity and the coming of the colonialists, the woman had pride of place.

We never needed feminism to be heard. Feminism was needed in the western world where women were oppressed.

When we take our stories only from Western texts, we are in essence tied to the danger of a single story.

Do you know how women came to be called Awuwaan? It comes from the phrase, awuo unwana. The person of light. The bringer of light. The one who brings enlightenment.

When a female child opens the womb, it is a thing of joy. She is the bringer of light. That family believes that their place on earth is consolidated.

I grew up reading texts like Eze Goes to School and see that many other cultures feel the male child is more special.

It is not so in Ibibioland, as told me by my family. All children are special and the female child is a gift that keeps on giving.

When the Gods want to bless a family, they send them an awuo unwana to light the path for them.