Introduction / History

There is a population estimate of 45,000 Ukpet-Ubeteng-Evia speakers — 30,000 Akpet, 12,000 Ebeteng, and 3,000 Evia.

Where Are they Located?

The Akpet, Ebeteng, and Evia all live in the Biase LGA (Local Government Areas), on the central west side of Cross River State. Most of the settlements are along, or close to, the Katsina Ala Calabar Road and Murtala Mohammed Highway running north from Calabar.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Akpet, Ebeteng, and Evia people primarily engage in farming. Some people are employed on the large palm plantations nearby. They also do some trading and hunting, and some have civil service positions. Today, all their villages have primary schools. Furthermore, Akpet and Ehom-Evia, have secondary schools.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The majority of the Akpet, Ebeteng, and Evia are Christians. Some practice African religious traditions.

What Are Their Needs?

The Akpet, Ebeteng, and Evia people speak varieties of the same language. However, they prefer that the language be identified by their individual names, Ukpet-Ubeteng-Evia. It is estimated that there are 45,000 speakers of the three varieties. Because Ebeteng is the larger group and has the highest lexical similarity with both other groups, it is proposed that any language development work should begin in the Ebeteng area.

Prayer Points

Pray for everything to be put in place so that language development work can begin in the Ebeteng area.
Pray that those who practice African religious traditions will encounter Jesus.
Pray that in God’s timing, the Akpet, Ebeteng, and Evia people will come to know Jesus.

Scripture Prayers for the Akpet-Ehom in Nigeria.