The Akwa Ibom indigenes having been known to be a mobile society have practiced social emancipation towards greater expansion as well as security and continuity of life at one time or the other in response to their environment, social order, and acceptable lifestyle of the day. They are a people whose culture can be identified with their language, ideas, beliefs, customs, codes, traditional institutions, tools, techniques, works of art, rituals, and ceremonies.

Intrinsic behaviours are bottled up and abolished through the use of taboos and stigmatisation. Learned and freely variable behaviours are transmitted from parents to children and from generation to generation. Frequently, learned behaviours are showcase in cultural events such as traditional marriages, Obong Coronation, market trading, daily lifestyles, or even the more recent church based events and festivals.

Given the importance of culture, as the total way of life of a people as expressed in the economic, social, technological and political institutions like other Nigerian people, Akwa Ibom people documented their experiences through oral traditions.

The preservation of their history was important to the people, being the vital link between their present and their past. This has assisted the different groups to define their identity and transmit same to their children. Thus codification, preservation and transmission of these traditions occurr at different levels of the society- at family, lineage, village and at clan levels.

The homogenous nature of the people is accountable for the minor difference in our traditions and customs, including all other aspects of cultural life. Little or no difference exists in our dances, songs, myths, shrines, funerals, folklore, mode of dressing, foods, cults, festivals and monuments We are noted for wood carving, sculpture, pottery and most importantly cane And raffia works. Ikot Ekpene is recognised internationally for its raffia products hence the term RAFFIA CITY.

Akwa Ibom State is a home of culture. Their rich homogenous nature is expressed in their cultural outlook. To this end Akwa Ibom people have four distinct cultural characteristics that affect and direct their behavioral patterns. These include the following; Pre-occupation with the supernatural; concern for good morals; Rebellion against injustice and Belief in a strong family system. These four characteristics influence their music and dance. Therefore when music and dance is being talked about, in reality we are referring to the general role they play as instruments of social control.

Therefore, in order to understand the cultural and social role of the music of Akwa Ibom people, four major elements of their music becomes imperative, namely; the Folk songs, musical instruments, orchestras and dances.