Travelling market shares culture of Nigeria
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The word Naija is an informal and affectionate term for Nigeria, and is also the name of the market that took over every inch of Princess Park on Saturday afternoon in downtown Brandon.
“This is Naija Market Day,” said event organizer Abiodun Adetu as she opened her arms in a welcoming gesture against a backdrop of bright colours, the aroma of African food and vibrant music. “It’s always so much fun but there’s a connection and a bond that brings everybody together.”
After both the Nigerian and Canadian national anthems were played, the crowd started to browse. There were 50 vendors selling traditional homemade food, vegetables, clothing, shoes, wigs, jewelery and make up.
Warren Benns (left), owner of Natural Mystic shares a laugh with Stacey (middle) and Izzy Eaton at the Naija Market in Princess Park Saturday afternoon in downtown Brandon. (Michele McDougall/The Brandon Sun)
The goal is to recreate the traditional market commonly found across Africa where people can by everything they need, but there’s more to it Adetu added. They’re offering their culture to the community.
“Most of our kids have never been to Nigeria or even Africa, so this gives them the opportunity to experience markets in that way,” Adetu said, adding seniors who travel to Nigeria for holidays also ask when the market will return.
This is the second year in a row for Naija Market Day in Brandon. It was launched last year in Winnipeg, and has become so popular that Adetu has taken the production on the road. Since the last week of May, stops have included Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton and Brampton (Ontario), and will continue until mid-August.
As clothing vendor Remilekum Orufola organized her table of fabrics, she said the market is a chance for everyone, whether they’re Nigerian or not, to share in its culture: “We want to share our beautiful country.”
Inside the Natural Mystic tent with its array of dresses, skirts and scarves, Stacey Eaton and her daughter Izzy were about to pay for a new shirt.
“We looked forward to the market coming back this year, the people are wonderful,” Stacey said.
“I love it,” Izzy chimed in, “There are so many beautiful colours, I feel like we don’t have enough colourful clothes or enough fun patterns like this.”
Adetu said organizers of the market, sponsored by Downtown BIZ, would definitely like back next summer, and perhaps even before, as organizers have also established a Christmas market they hope to bring to Brandon.
» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com
» enviromichele.bsky.social