The Changing Pattern of Land Ownership in Bekwarra, Cross River State, Nigeria (1908-2015)

Abstract

This paper examined the pattern of land acquisition among the Bekwarra people of the Upper Cross River between 1908 when the British influence began in the area and 2015. Land acquisition is an important subject of history among all societies and importantly so, for agrarian societies. In order to acquire land, migrations have occurred among human beings from pre-history, has led to clashes and quarrels between societies, has led to wars. As a panacea to frequent feud among people, societies have devised means of distributing this all important resource. The paper used information from other disciplines as well as historical records for information. It concluded that land acquisition among Bekwarra had gone through three basic stages, although maintaining the traditional idea of communal ownership, but responding to changes in a world in perpetual flux.