Ukara cloth

Ukara cloth
Ukara cloth detail, Etara community, Cross River State, Nigeria

Chief Ekpenyong Oku — bead works


The artist at work
Chief Ekpenyong Oku, born January 2, 1943, is from Ékpè Oku House in Mbarakom Ward, Creek Town. He is an Obong Ékpè at the Efe Ékpè Essien Ékpè, Mbarakom, Creek Town.

Chief Oku is an artist who does bead work on shoes, caps, vests, and Ékpè masquerades. He learned this art from his family, because his great-grandfather used to also do bead work.
He lives at #1 Oku Atai Street, Calabar South.

The artist making a variety of caps
The top of an Ékpè cap
The top of an Ékpè cap

What beautiful shoes!