Calabar people and dog meat delicacy on focus

CALABAR people, who are predominantly people from the former Cross River State, now divided into Akwa Ibom and Cross River in the South-Southern region of the country, are known for dog meat consumption. Inside Niger Delta observes that even while people outside this region abhor the consumption of dog meat for religious, cultural, medical as well as personal reasons, consumers of this controversial delicacy have described it as the most delicious meat available. Continue...

Aside from its alluring aroma and appetizing appearance when served, consumers of the meat,

who spoke with InsideNigerDelta at some dog meat joints in Akwa-Ibom communities, insisted that dog meat was of higher medicinal and nutritional values than any other flesh consumed by man.

The various respondents including the operators of dog meat joints at Obio Etoi, Mbierebe Obio, Mbiokporo, Anua Obio, Itam, Uyo and the environs, found consolation in the adage that “one man’s meat, is another man’s poison” because according to them, one’s preference for a particular lifestyle was a choice occasioned by generational and time-tested facts about such preference.

Mr Anietie Effiong, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bambo Island, Obio Etoi, one of the largest and highly patronised dog meat spots located along the Goodluck Jonathan Boulevard, less than one kilometre to the Nest of Champions, told Inside NigerDelta that the medicinal and nutritional values of dog meat were too preponderant to be ignored by people who cherished good health and youthful looks.

Effiong, who said he slaughtered a minimum of five dogs on a daily basis for consumption by customers, explained that the oily substance in cooked dogs, helped to nourish the skin, preserve youthfulness, build energy and stimulate libido just as he said that dog meat generally had the inert tendency to build immunity and provide mystical protection for the consumers against elemental forces and manipulations.

The Bamboo Island operator, who is in early 30s, said because of the high valued premium, many of the consumers especially those from; Ibibio, Oron, the Annangs, Eket and the Obolo-people of Akwa-Ibom State come for the meat, and given the increasing patronage by converts from outside the state, his bar had to be designed to meet tourism purposes as tourists also visit the place regularly to share in the dog meat delicacy.

It is common knowledge that dog meat joints are mainly located in the interior areas of the community even as customers are well guided to ensure that no one consumes it ignorantly since its consumption is not accepted by all cultures and religions.

Dog meat delicacy is given such names as; 404, J5 or dog head is drawn on the wall or signage of the joint to ensure that every customer knows what he or she is about to consume.

InsideNigerDelta also gathered that it was a taboo to serve such meat in restaurants or offer it to anybody to consume ignorantly in any areas the joints might be located.

“Would you have imagined that this is an ordinary palm-wine and dog meat bar? This place provides natural ambience, beauty and fresh air whispering and oozing from the bamboo leaves which also shade the place from high sunlight.

“People come here from far and near; tourists which include the whites, foreigners, Ghanaians and people from other countries come here to see what we are doing and sometimes taste what we are cooking here.

“In fact, this place has helped educate a lot of people who, before now held erroneous and negative impressions about dog meat. Many of them are now eating dog meat and have attested to the efficacy of its medicinal and nutritional values. So, the issue has been basically that of one man’s meat being another man’s poison, but we can tell anyone who care to listen that there is no meat that is as delicious and as appetising as dog meat. This is not because I am promoting my business”, Effiong asserted.

Mr. Ekom-Obong Inyang, the proprietor of “Ima-Abasi 404 and Palm-Wine Bar”, Mbiokporo, in Nsit-Ibom Local Government Area is also of the opinion that there is nothing sinister about dog meat eating. He said the consumer would derive great pleasure after the consumption of a plate of dog meat delicacy lazed with plantain or yam and then accompany it with at least a bottle of palm-wine.

Similarly, Miss Blessing Monday, a sales girl at the Bambo Island, expressed reservations to any contrary opinion concerning dog meat consumption.

According to her, as one of those who have been serving customers the delicacy, it is noticed that people from all over Nigeria and other African countries have come to cherish dog meat as much as the people from Akwa-Ibom such that even if his boss prepares 10 dogs a day, all would be consumed.

Aside from those who come there to buy dog meat directly, she said many others booked and paid in advance to entertain their visitors and guests at wedding ceremonies, birthdays, child dedications and other ceremonies.

The reason for the appreciable market and patronage, Blessing said, was not unconnected with the fact that dog meat was irresistibly delicious.

Dog meat is not eaten by the lower class of persons, but even the high and the mighty patronize such joints and it is most enjoyable with fresh palm wine or wine in the evenings.