The African King Who First Ended Twin Killings

​For generations, the history of Calabar has been framed through a singular lens. We are often taught that Mary Slessor, the courageous Scottish missionary, was the sole force responsible for abolishing the practice of infanticide regarding twins. While her efforts were significant, this popular narrative overlooks a crucial historical truth: African agency had already begun the change long before her arrival.

​A Timeline of Transformation

​To understand the true history of Calabar, we must look at the dates. Mary Slessor arrived in Nigeria in 1876. However, the legislative foundation for ending the killing of twins was laid decades earlier.

​In 1851, while Mary Slessor was a mere three-year-old child in Scotland, a powerful decree was issued in the Old Calabar region. This shift was not sparked by European intervention, but by the internal leadership of an indigenous ruler.

​The Visionary Leadership of King Eyo Honesty II

​The real pioneer of this social reform was King Eyo Honesty II of Creek Town. A man of immense moral courage and foresight, King Eyo challenged deeply entrenched customs that had persisted for centuries.

• ​The 1851 Decree: Years before missionary influence became the dominant social force, King Eyo Honesty II officially outlawed the killing of twin babies within his jurisdiction.

• ​Moral Courage: He stood against traditional pressures to prioritize human rights and the sanctity of life.

• ​Diplomatic Strategy: He leveraged his position as a trade leader and monarch to enforce these changes, proving that progress was already brewing within African society.

​Why the True Story is Often Erased

​If the law was changed in 1851, why does the global narrative center almost exclusively on Mary Slessor? The answer lies in how history was recorded during the colonial era.

• ​Eurocentric Bias: Colonial-era historians often highlighted European “saviors” while downplaying the initiatives of local leaders.

• ​Documentary Monopoly: Much of the written history from that period came from missionary journals, which naturally focused on their own missions.

• ​The Erasure of Agency: Attributing all progress to external influence reinforces the myth that African societies were incapable of self-correction or humanitarian growth.

​”To tell the story of Calabar without King Eyo Honesty II is to tell only half the truth. It erases the intellect and conscience of the African leaders who shaped their own destiny.”

Reclaiming the Narrative

​Acknowledging King Eyo Honesty II does not diminish the work Mary Slessor did to provide sanctuary for mothers and children. Instead, it provides a complete and balanced history. It is time to give “his flowers” to the King who took the first, most dangerous step. By recognizing King Eyo’s legacy, we honor the truth: that the light of progress in Calabar was first lit by one of its own.