The Nigerian community in Winnipeg, Canada, came together on Saturday to celebrate and share their rich cultural heritage at the Naija Market Day.
Held at the Soul Sanctuary, the event provided a unique cultural experience, featuring a lively marketplace filled with jewellery, music, and street cuisine reminiscent of Nigerian markets.
Abiodun Adetu, the convenor of the market, explained the essence of the event. “What you see inside is how we do our market the local way. It’s not the same thing as going to Walmart or Superstore.
There’s something about the energy, about the friendship, about the community that you get at the market.
“In Nigeria, you go to the market to do your shopping, you go there to get your deals, and that’s exactly what we are doing here.”
The market showcased more than 60 vendors from Manitoba’s Nigerian community, offering a variety of items including food, clothing, and beauty products. The event evoked nostalgia for many attendees, bringing a piece of home to Winnipeg.
“There are items that I haven’t seen in well over two years, and this is just very nostalgic for us, you know, to see things that we grew up with back home being replicated here, like several millions of miles far away from home,” Oluwuashen Adewolo, a committee member of the event said.
Taiwo Aromasodu, vice president of the Nigerian Association of Manitoba, emphasized the market’s role in fostering community connections.
His words: “You now feel like a family. You feel like you’re back home.”
With Winnipeg’s Nigerian community estimated at approximately 10,000 people, events like Naija Market Day are essential for maintaining cultural ties and building a sense of unity among residents.
Adetu and Aromasodu both expressed optimism about the future of the market, with plans to hold similar events again to continue bringing the community together.
