Top 3 Notable markets in Calabar, Cross river state

See the Top 3 Notable markets in Calabar, Cross river state.

Human wants are insatiable and as a result of that they will always want to acquire things that they feel is essential for their daily living. It is for this reason that a market place is expedient in every state to grant individuals access to these goods and be able to purchase them at a price that may be agreed by the buyer and the seller.

There are different kinds of markets from clothes market to food market to computer accessories and other miscellaneous things, the list is endless.

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This post will give you a quick guide to the three major markets in Cross river state and what they are known for:

Top 3 Notable markets in Calabar, Cross river state

1. Marian market:

The market is located in the heart of the old town of Calabar in Cross river state. The market has been in existence for quite a while now. The Marian market is considered the largest market in Cross river state.

Various items and wares can be found in the market ranging from furniture, clothes, foodstuff, provisions, electronics, e.t.c. it is also worthy to note that once a week, vegetables are brought once a week from the north.

The atmosphere in the market is quite amazing with lots of goods being offered at bargain prices to customers. The native language is the major medium of communication between buyers and sellers in the Marian market so as a visitor it is rather advisable that if you intend to patronize the market, you go with someone that can speak the native language so you would get the best deal for your money.

This market is notable for giving the best bargains for your money. However as a tourist, going on your own would not be completely beneficial to you because you would not be able to fully enjoy this dividend if you are not accompanied by someone who can speak Efik rather fluently.

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2.  Esuk Mba market:

This is probably one of the oldest markets in Cross river state. The market is located Esuk MBA clan, a town in Akpabuyo local government in Cross river state and is some kilometers from the city of Calabar if you are traveling by road.

The history of this market according to one of the community leaders goes as far as the colonial era and was established by Mr. Doe. The unique and distinctive feature about this market is the fact that it is a trade by barter market.

Individuals and various market women come from far and near communities to buy and sell under a typical market setting. Trade by barter was an ancient means of trading that has practically gone into extinction.

The Esuk Mba market is the only market that still practices this means of exchange. The community is a rather busy community with business activities always booming.

The market comes alive on Saturday morning by 6.30 am and business activities wind up for the day by 12 noon. The market is notable for its different variety of fishes which include smoked fish, catfish, cray fish, stock fish,e.t.c.

Most of its customers are mainly creek dwellers from areas like Ewang, Oron, Bakassi, Ibang, Oron among others.

These communities do not exactly have fertile lands in which they can cultivate food crops. Esuk Mba is a clan whose major occupation is farming and they produce quite a rare number of farm produce like cassava, pineapple, tubers, palm produce, vegetables, e.t.c.

They operate in the ultimate trade by barter deals by providing these clans with farm products on the other hand while they provide the Esuk MBA clans with the best of fishes. The regular practice is for a farmer to move around the market with his harvest in search of a particular seafood which he is interested in.

When they eventually see someone that has what they want, they stop and present the items to the person. An agreement for exchange is believed to be reached when the second party accepts the harvest with their hands.

After accepting, the fish seller then accesses the farm produce to check if its on par with the fish which he intends to sell and determines the quantity of fish that he believes to be on par with the harvest which he has received. However if the farmer is not satisfied with the bargain, he could ask for more fish.

It is worthy of note that the creek dwellers don’t exchange all their sea products for farm products and some are sold for cash. The Esuk Mba is a rather poor community so the farmers prefer this means of exchange because the goods they obtain from the creek dwellers last them for a week, its not that these farm produce of theirs can’t be sold for money but they don’t get the right value for their goods so they prefer it this way.

3.  Watt market:

the watt market is considered the largest market in the state. It offers quite a wide variety of wares to individuals who intend to shop there that include fabrics, jeans, wax, car parts and even live chicken.  In addition to the above, the watt market has lots of eateries and hawkers that sell local dishes.

Travellers also have the opportunity of viewing wide variety of local spices that are only available in this region. One major thing you should know is that goods are sold at quite cheap rates and for you to get the best bargains you have to really ‘price’ very well so you won’t be cheated.

Indigenes have advised that one of the best times to visit the Watt market is during the Abakwa festival because during the period, you will be entertained by quite a number of colorful dancers who do lots of dancing and chants around the market.

These markets are the most popular markets within the Calabar axis in cross river state. So if you are visiting Calabar during this Christmas season or your office is sending you on an official assignment and you are looking for the best of bargains, these markets are your best bet.

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