The "Osomaalos" of Nigeria
Explore the history, business acumen, and deeply-rooted cultural patriotism of the Ijesa people—a resilient and fiercely determined lineage.
The Osomaalo Spirit
The Ijesas are famously known as the "Osomaalos" of Nigeria. Originally considered a term of abuse characterizing the aggressive Ijesa textile traders, the word is inherently tied to the process of debt collection.
It literally translates to "I will not sit until I have collected my money," showcasing an inflexible determination to succeed in the face of all odds.
Osomaalo trading, with its inbuilt principle of installment payment, was the most important single contribution of the Ijesa to the economic development of Nigeria, pioneering installment payment long before the similar hire purchase system was introduced in Britain.
Cultural Patriotism
The principle of self-help remains central to the Ijesa people. This independently-minded, individualistic approach explains why many commercial and industrial establishments in Ijesaland are owned largely by the Ijesa themselves.
Wherever the Ijesa went, they impressed their audience with stories of the legendary fearlessness of their people, boasting of great names like Ogedengbe and Fabunmi.
This immense patriotism is vividly demonstrated during Christmas and New Year celebrations (Iwude Ogun and Obalogun), when successful traders return home in large numbers to show off their success and powerfully enliven their communities.
