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From Iya Ijebu’s shop to Igbo market: ethnicity and the transformation of Mushin leather market in Lagos, Nigeria
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 29 May 2024
Abstract
Leather markets are critical nodes in the leather industry value chain. They attract manufacturers and small and medium enterprises that facilitate social interactions and opportunities, leading to increased availability of finished leather goods. This study explores the social transformation and organization of Mushin leather market in Lagos megacity based on data collected through observation and in-depth and key informant interviews with traders, association and community members, transporters and customers in the market. Mushin leather market evolved from a shop owned by an indigenous woman known as Iya Ijebu (Ijebu woman) into a leather trading community. State and local governments intervene minimally in the market affairs through sanitation rules and revenue collection. Routes to market socialization include mentoring and apprenticeships, with visible gender disparities. Associational membership guarantees full integration to traders. Strong business, personal and group networks structure ethnic dynamics and occupational specializations. The article reveals the inherent interdependence of social institutions in understanding the organization of the leather market, particularly in terms of how capital, associational norms and networks shape the formation of a heterogeneous market in an indigenous Yoruba community. Mushin leather market is transforming the domains of ethnic trade speciality and patterning intergroup social relations in Lagos megacity.
Résumé
Les marchés au cuir sont des maillons essentiels de la chaîne de valeur de l’industrie du cuir. Ils attirent des fabricants et des petites et moyennes entreprises qui facilitent des interactions et des opportunités sociales, conduisant à une disponibilité accrue d’articles en cuir finis. Cette étude explore la transformation sociale et l’organisation du marché au cuir de Mushin, dans la mégapole de Lagos, sur la base de données collectées par l’observation et des entretiens approfondis avec des informateurs clés auprès de commerçants, de membres d’associations et de la communauté, de transporteurs et de clients du marché. Le marché au cuir de Mushin, qui n’était au départ qu’un magasin appartenant à une femme ijebu autochtone connue sous le nom d’Iya Ijebu, est devenu une communauté de commerçants du cuir. Les administrations centrales et locales interviennent de façon minimale dans les affaires du marché, en matière de règles sanitaires et de perception de recettes fiscales. Parmi les voies de socialisation au marché figurent le mentorat et l’apprentissage, avec des disparités visibles entre les sexes. Une affiliation associative garantit une pleine intégration aux commerçants. De solides réseaux professionnels, personnels et de groupe structurent les dynamiques ethniques et les spécialisations professionnelles. L’article révèle l’interdépendance inhérente des institutions sociales dans la compréhension de l’organisation du marché au cuir, notamment dans la manière dont le capital, les normes associatives et les réseaux façonnent la formation d’un marché hétérogène au sein d’une communauté yoruba autochtone. Le marché au cuir de Mushin transforme les domaines de spécialité du commerce ethnique et modélise les relations sociales intergroupes dans la mégapole de Lagos.
Resumo
Os mercados do couro são nós críticos na cadeia de valor da indústria do couro. Atraem fabricantes e pequenas e médias empresas que facilitam as interacções sociais e as oportunidades, conduzindo a uma maior disponibilidade de artigos de couro acabados. Este estudo explora a transformação social e a organização do mercado de peles de Mushin, na megacidade de Lagos, com base em dados recolhidos através da observação e de entrevistas aprofundadas a comerciantes, membros da associação e da comunidade, transportadores e clientes do mercado. O mercado de couro de Mushin evoluiu de uma loja pertencente a uma mulher indígena conhecida como Iya Ijebu (mulher de Ijebu) para uma comunidade de comerciantes de couro. Os governos, estadual e local intervêm minimamente nos assuntos do mercado através de regras sanitárias e da coleta de receitas. As vias de socialização no mercado incluem a tutoria e a aprendizagem, com disparidades visíveis entre os géneros. A filiação associativa garante a plena integração dos comerciantes. As fortes redes comerciais, pessoais e de grupo estruturam a dinâmica étnica e as especializações profissionais. O artigo revela a interdependência inerente das instituições sociais na compreensão da organização do mercado do couro, particularmente em termos da forma como o capital, as normas associativas e as redes moldam a formação de um mercado heterogéneo numa comunidade indígena ioruba. O mercado de peles de Mushin está a transformar os domínios da especialidade comercial étnica e a modelar as relações sociais intergrupais na megacidade de Lagos.
- Type
- A leather market in Lagos
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- Copyright
- © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The International African Institute
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