Concept:The Efik people acted as intermediaries in trade between European traders on the coast and inland communities.Explanation:The Efik lived near the coast along the Cross River and Calabar area.European white traders arrived on the coast to buy goods such as palm oil and slaves.Inland tribes from the Cross River region could not easily trade directly with these Europeans.The Efik therefore served as links or agents between the two groups.They received goods from the inland tribes and exchanged them with the white traders, and vice versa.This role is best described as being middle men in the trade network.Answer:A. middle men