In the rich oral traditions of the Efik people of southeastern Nigeria, folktales were more than entertainment. They were guides, warnings, and lessons about life. The story of Ituen and the King’s Wife is one such tale, remembered for its drama, cultural weight, and tragic conclusion.
The Background of the Story
The Efik people, known for their structured kingdom and strict adherence to cultural practices, lived under the rule of powerful kings. These rulers had many wives, each carefully guarded, and the greatest taboo of all was for another man to win the affection of a king’s wife. It was not just a personal betrayal but an offense against the throne and the land itself.
The Egbos, a secret society of men, served as guardians of law and custom. When a crime touched the king’s household, their judgment was swift and often severe. Into this world steps Ituen, a young man whose charm brought him into dangerous waters.
The Arrival of Gifts
One season, Ituen returned to his mother’s home. Slaves carried three hundred rods and another forty bore yams, pepper, salt, tobacco, and cloth. His mother was overjoyed at the wealth brought to her son. She embraced him, noting his fine clothes and healthy appearance. But when she heard that he had caught the eye of the queen herself, her joy turned into dread. She knew the law: no man could survive the king’s wrath if he dared trespass into the forbidden circle of the royal wives.
The Queen’s Desire
Ituen stayed in his parents’ house for a month, helping on the farm. But the queen’s longing grew unbearable. She sent word for him to return at once. Ituen obeyed. He arrived at night, slipping silently into the queen’s chambers, where she greeted him with joy.
Their stolen hours, however, would not remain hidden for long. Some of the king’s servants had heard whispers from the slaves who carried the lavish gifts to Ituen’s mother. They crept into the queen’s room that night and caught the lovers together. Immediately they ran to the king and revealed the scandal.
The Judgment of the King
The king was furious. He ordered Ituen to be seized and summoned all his people to the palaver house, where cases were tried in public. He also called for eight armed members of the Egbo society, their matchets gleaming, ready to carry out the verdict.
Before the assembled people, the accusation was laid bare. Ituen was found guilty. The king, his face like stone, turned to the Egbos and gave the command: take him into the bush and deal with him according to native custom.
The Harsh Punishment
The eight Egbo men led Ituen into the dark bush. They tied him firmly to a tree. Then, with a sharp knife, they cut off his lower jaw. They carried it back to the king as proof that justice had been served. Ituen’s fate was sealed, and the story of his downfall became a lasting warning to generations that followed.
Moral Lesson
The story of Ituen and the king’s wife teaches that desire unchecked by wisdom brings destruction. To defy custom and dishonor authority is to walk into danger. The tale also warns of the weight of secrecy, for what is hidden in the dark will one day come into the light. Respect for tradition and the restraint of temptation are the keys to survival and honor in society.
Knowledge Check
1. What culture does the story of Ituen and the King’s Wife belong to?
The story comes from the Efik people of southeastern Nigeria.
2. Why was Ituen’s mother worried when she heard of the queen’s attention?
She knew the penalty for attracting the king’s wife was severe and often fatal.
3. Who were the Egbos in Efik society?
The Egbos were members of a secret society tasked with upholding law, order, and tradition.
4. How did the king learn of Ituen’s relationship with the queen?
Servants overheard slaves’ whispers and later caught Ituen with the queen before informing the king.
5. What was Ituen’s punishment for his crime?
He was tied to a tree in the bush, and his lower jaw was cut off by the Egbos, who brought it to the king.
6. What is the main moral lesson of this tale?
The story teaches the danger of giving in to forbidden desires and the importance of respecting authority and tradition.
