A community Market in Cross River State is still trading by barter instead of money.

Since its inception in 1956, the Esuk Mba community market in s Akpabuyo Local government area of Cross River State’s engaged in trade by barter, exchanging one food item for another.

In Esuk Mba, no money is exchanged. Residents, on the other hand, make money when visitors tour the area or when they sell their products outside of the community.

According to a report, they use the money to pay bills such as school fees.

The market, which is located in a remote village in Esuk Mba in Akpabuyo, is a weekly market, that opens morning till sunset

Villagers typically move their consumable items to the market in exchange for the ones they require.
You can bring your palm oil to this market and exchange it for garri, yam, fish, or plantain, as the case may be.

Because there are a variety of food items available for exchange in each section.

This has been upheld by members of the community since 1956, and they do it every market day.

Why this market is still in existence

Residents of this community feel the barter system has helped them over the years to save costs in view of the scarce financial resources.

According to the villagers, this practice is still in place because their forefathers passed down the market to them, and they see the need to maintain the status quo, as the market has aided in the preservation of the community’s culture.

According to the locals, It might not thrive as a profitable trading venture. However, it reminds them and their children that there was a time when money did not solve all problems.

The market is also significant because it was a hub of activity during the period of the Nigerian slave trade. yes, a little walk behind the market, up to the creeks was where the slaves were transported through the sea to other countries, it was a point of no return when they take you as a slave to this point, it means no mercy, no return.

Thus maintaining, this ancient means of transaction, help them to remember their forefathers who left without return in that sport.