"Blood Men" slave revolt at Old Calabar

In 1851 a major revolt of enslaved people broke out at Old Calabar. The "Blood Men"—enslaved members of the Egbo (Ekpe) society and of wealthy trading Houses—rose against their masters in what Dike describes as a significant social upheaval. The revolt was suppressed by the Efik ruling class with British consular assistance. This was one of several slave revolts in the Delta in the early 1850s reflecting social tensions generated by the disruption of the slave-trade economy.