ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is the application of the semiotics of the Nsibidi non-verbal language system of the Ejagham/Ekoi people of Cross River State in South-eastern Nigeria and Western Cameroon. This was done in a symbolic manner, taking into consideration international construction standards and space requirements for the design of an apartment hotel of four-star standard. The aim is to achieve a project which will portray indigenous cultural, historical and mythical elements so as to add value to total visitor experience within the Tinapa Resort. Clarification on the choice of use of the term Ejagham above other pseudonyms like Ekoi and Bakor which are used within and outside Nigeria by scholars, linguists and anthropologists to represent this same race is made. The method of research carried out involved determining the unifying cultural features of the people of the Cross River Basin, screening the findings down to a workable scope of research and determining the distinct elements of their unique forms of expression. The result was the Nsibidi language system. This study, thus focused on analyzing the Nsibidi system of expression; both visual and otherwise; the basic sentiments which surround the use of this system, and the impact these sentiments have had on the socio-cultural structure of the Ejagham people. The study attempted to determine how these parameters affected the varied forms of visual expression; if any, used by these people pre-European influence. The findings were screened and only the decorative aspect of Nsibidi, with a mild hint of the mythical, was used in the design of the proposed Apartment Hotel. This was used to create a symbolically indigenous design that the people can identify with, which will enhance the uniqueness of the structural atmosphere; and in effect the environmental atmosphere, of the Tinapa Resort; while at the same time represent the ancient traditional role of earth-cleansing and rejuvenation performed after the acquisition of a valuable piece of communal land.