HISTORY: MARKET (ỌJÀ)

WHY YORUBA CALL MARKET 'ỌJÀ' ?

The Yoruba ethnic group is a vast tribe with many brave historical achievements, culture & traditions, places, things of huge values which are well respected in the world. One of these things of great esteem in the Yoruba is its language which has many importance.

The Yoruba language has always been influential in different part of the world aside Nigeria, Benin republic, Togo, it is well appreciated in Brazil, USA, Cuba and many other nations.

One of the important, famous, daily used word by the Yoruba speakers is the word 'Ọjà' which means 'market'.
According to the Yoruba tribe, 'Ọjà' means a place where day to day activities take place. It is a place where people buy, sell, resell or even re-buy and distribute services in acquisition of funds or something lucrative in return.

Historically, It was gathered that native Yoruba do call a place that seek much people's attention whenever there is a public fight or dispute especially during competitions  (or maybe in a play) and through this slight period of dispute/play some do use the opportunity to sell there goods for long time till it gets to be constant. The name 'Ọjà' connotational means 'It will fight or it fought'.

Also, there have been reactions if this could be true as many people couldn't just assume but it is said that it will be put into doubt since the Yoruba history and other African's origin were orally passed at first place.

In the olden days in Yoruba lands, 'Ọjà' is a place where petty goods are mostly bought or sold such as peppers, yams, fishes, vegetables, Garri, Onions, tomatoes etc and all these were done by barter (in exchange of something), later through spending of cowries as money. But now in these modern days due to Europeans and other influences, different goods are sold in return of profit or something lucrative as well as different services are rendered. Goods to this effect include fridges, gas, TV, phones, computers, engines, clothes, shoes etc without secluding food items too.

More so, it is to be recalled that 'Ọjà' also means 'goods or commodity'. Some people do also refer 'Ọjà' as something 'illicit'. For example, Yoruba speakers do say 'Awọn ọmọ ọlọja alẹ' which means 'Night workers'. The latter is mostly related to 'prostitutes or thieves' because Yoruba people believe that thieves and prostitutes do operate in the night. Speakers of Yoruba, especially the ones in the cities, do say << Ọjà ti jẹ ẹ>> meaning someone had been scammed by someone else or something.

Extendedly, The word 'Ọlọja' is an adjective that mainly qualifies all that relates with the word ''Ọjà''. It will be necessary to note that ''Ọ̀já'' means ''wrapper'' (to tighten babies), 'Ò jáa' means 'He/She/It cut it' while 'Ó jà' means "He/She/It fought". It has been recorded also that the word 'Ọjà' can also be called ''Ibùsọ̀ / Ìsọ̀'' in Yoruba. For example, ''Ibùsọ̀ àwọn aláta'' meaning "the market-side of pepper sellers".

By Ganiyu Ayanniyi M.