Greetings everyone, trying to get on worldmappin I paid a visit to the Riverine area of Nigeria in akwa ibom state. I have heard so much about this area and the people living there so I wished to witness it physically.
There are many interesting facts about this Riverine area, this river is just 30-40km away from the Atlantic ocean. The river empties itself there.
- It empties to the border between Calabar in cross river and Akwa ibom.
- This river holds lots of fishing and aquaculture activities
- The water is brackish in nature which is a mix of freshwater and salt water.
It is 7am and the streets are filled with people moving to and from, I already stayed close to the area so i could make my way there easily, I took a bus which dropped me at the entrance of this popular area. I am so interested in the Riverine part as I heard about the fishes, periwinkles, crabs and lots of seafood in this market.
It looked like 7:30 was late already as people were already moving out with bags filled with goods. The quick movement of people in the market was something else, they didn't hesitate to hit any obstacle just to pass. Had to give way several times. The peoples behavior especially the sellers was appealing as they were very eager to sell.
Periwinkles which is one of the most consumed items in that region from my study was sold in big bags, stacked and filled to the brim
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The workers and sellers there all looked active, as one of the workers jacked up a big heavy bag of periwinkle on his head, I just imagined myself trying to pick that up I am very sure it won't pass the waist region. It requires a lot of strength because the took it to far distances which was the parking lot just at the entrance of the market. I enjoyed seeing how hardworking the people were as I walked down the coast.
I saw freshly caught crabs and prawns which I tried taking a picture of but the pressure from people passing to and from won't even let you stand for some seconds. I saw the huge canoes used in transporting these products, most canoes move down to the coastal region, to fish and pick up logs and woods from mangrove forest.
What I heard is that there's another small settlement close to the coastal region where most of the fishes are dried and brought to this part, if not for the fear of water I would have boarded a canoe and take a tour there, so I could see how these fishermen cast their nets and how crabs are caught.
This was actually my first time seeing huge canoes, I have seen ships and boats but not these huge canoes, it can pick up thousands of fishes in sticks for delivery. Children were not left out from the business as I saw them selling fishes and periwinkles. I saw off loaders getting to the canoe to get fishes, the water reached their waist region, anything for the hustle they were ready for it. It shows how hardworking and committed the people are.
Logs and wood were also brought down from that region. It shows that the coastal region has a lot to offer and I would really love to pay a visit one day, only if it's accessible through road. The lifestyle here was just mainly on teamwork, you can't get to the coastal region through boat without a companion that will help you filled the boat while you handle it. I saw where boats were constructed overhead but couldn't take a picture of it.
I just came to realize that most sea foods used in the state is from this market, it could then answer why they were so many people in such early hours rushing to reach the shore.
I have always loved to visit Riverine areas and I will pay a visit to the beach someday. I love the calmness it offers and I would run off when the tide comes. The market was just amazing as I was already tired to walk around, I asked for prizes of some of these products there were so affordable. Upon leaving I heard they also offer fisherman soup in one of the spots there, would have really love to try it out as I am sure to eat a lot of fresh fishes from it.
Most of the fishes were are sold and I couldn't find it in that part of the market I was, but i saw crabs and prawns. What marvelled me most was how they held these crabs without getting that grip from them, I won't even get close to them due to what I've been seeing them do in videos. I heard huge crabs in beaches pick off people's clothes to their hole, it seems they're just playing too, I wouldn't dare disturb them to give my cloth back I would just wait or send an expert in crab catching.
