Brief History of the Efik Onyonyo Dress
The Efik traditional attire for ladies is called the “Onyonyo”.
It is a Victorian style dress made from lace fabric and usually worn by brides for their traditional wedding.
The Efiks are inhabitants of Calabar, Cross Rivers State in Southern Nigeria. They were part of the first set of ethnic groups to meet with the British colonialists because of their proximity to the seaport.
The “Onyonyo” dress style was adopted from Mary Slessor, who was a missionary with a heart of Gold.
28 year old Mary Slessor arrived Duke Town, Calabar, in the month of September, 1875. She lived among the people and even learned to speak the local language. Mary Slessor is popular, in particular, for stopping the killing of twins; she rescued a number of babies who eventually lived in her home.
She was every inch the Victorian missionary…not only did she change, and save, lives in the city and beyond, she changed the whole meaning of
missionary work and how to serve the church abroad.At her new posting, instead of staying in the missionary compound, Slessor spent far more time among the people of Calabar, first learning to eat their food…and then learning the local language.
Hardage 2010
Revered to this day by the Efik peoples in Calabar, Mary Slessor’s legacy became one of mercy, rather than religious conversion.
She was a revered role model to the people, and the women adopted her manner of life including her Victorian style of dressing, which is the “Onyonyo” dress we see today.
The Typical Onyonyo Dress Style
The Calabar bride in the Onyonyo Attire:
She wears a long flowing dress, has her hair in braids adorned with large golden accessories (combs), and carries a long staff with ruffled fabric.
1.Calabar Bride In Beautiful Green Off Shoulder Onyonyo Dress With Matching Staff and Wig
2.Calabar Bride In Turquoise Onyonyo Mermaid Styled Traditional Dress, Staff and Hair Comb
3.Efik Bride In Gold Onyonyo Dress, Decorated Hair, Coral Beads and Staff
4.Efik Bride In Beautiful Traditional Onyonyo Dress and Decorated Staff
5.Efik Bride In Red Off Shoulder Onyonyo Dress, Wig Combs, Jewelry and Decorated Staff
6.Calabar Bride In Purple Onyonyo Dress With Coral Beads and Decorated Hair
7.Beautiful Pink Efik Traditional Onyonyo Wedding Dress
8.Ini Edo In Green Off Shoulder Efik Onyonyo Dress With Traditional Wig and Combs
9.Beautiful Purple Satin and White Efik Traditional Onyonyo Dress With Wig and Combs
10.Couple In Efik Traditional Wedding Attire
11.Efik Bride In Lilac Onyonyo Traditional Wedding Attire
12.Calabar Bride In Onyonyo Traditional Wedding Attire
13.Beautiful Purple Efik Bridal Dress and Hair
14.Efik Bride In Purple Traditional Onyonyo Dress and Wig
15.Efik Bride In Beautiful Gold Off Shoulder Peplum Onyonyo Dress With Comb Wig and Staff
16.South South Bride In Efik Traditional Wedding Attire
17.Bride In Efik Onyonyo Traditional Wedding Attire
18.Calabar Bride In Turquoise Lace Efik Onyonyo Traditional Dress, Bridal Wig and Staff
19.Calabar Bride In Efik Onyonyo Dress With Wig and Combs
