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SUMMARY
Just like the topic of the research, the origin, growth and development of the Oba market, this work have examined how the Oba market also known as Ekioba came about and how it has developed till this present day. At the beginning of the work, we started by giving the various definition of market by different scholars. According to Robert Smith, he defined market as a place where people meet often to obtain and dispose of local and imported goods and services or to exchange information with friends and strangers and also to engage in recreational activities. Toyin Falola in his own definition stated that, the market is a demarcated site where traders and consumers met to exchange products. We went further to state that markets can be grouped in different parts, the physical markets and the non-physical markets, auction markets, black markets, knowledge markets, financial markets, etc. Hence, our research falls into the physical type of market because the activities of the physical markets are carried out physically. Markets in Benin were carried out physically in a demarcated site where people come together from far and near on daily or periodical days in order to perform the transaction of buying and selling. Aside the Oba’s market, there are other markets that were in existence at the time. Such markets are the Ogiso market, the new market, and the Agbado market which are still very much in existence. The date at which the Oba’s market came into existence is not known but it was said that the market was established during the reign of Oba Ewedo. The market has always been directly opposite the Oba’s palace which it’s still at till date. The market was established by the Oba because he saw it was necessary to have a market close to the palace so his wives could easily engage in buying of food items without going far. The market is a daily 60 market which means its open on daily basis. It is a traditional market, and it is headed by the Oba. Hence the name, ‘Oba’s market’.
