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| Title: | Six-Day Markets of the Kabiye of North Togo |
| Author: | Larson, Thomas J. |
| Year: | 1991 |
| Periodical: | South African Journal of Ethnology |
| Volume: | 14 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Pages: | 115-121 |
| Language: | English |
| Geographic term: | Togo |
| Subjects: | marketplaces Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Labor and Employment Economics and Trade |
| Abstract: | The six-day market cycle of the Kabiye of the Chaine de Lama region in the northern part of Togo is of considerable economic importance. Kabiye villages hold their weekly markets always on the same day though the day differs from village to village. Small farmers in the rural areas can therefore sell their produce on different days in the nearest villages. Full-time hawkers travel a six-day routine visiting different markets. This study is based on material gathered through observation and interviews with Kabiye informants during a number of field excursions to Togo during the period 1963-1985. After a short outline of the socioeconomic background of the area, the study describes the Kabiye market system, paying attention to its structure, functions, products sold, prices, the division of labour between the sexes, and ritual. It shows that the agricultural production process of the Kabiye has undergone extensive changes during the past decades. Though millet and sorghum have retained their position as staple foodcrops, the production of yams, peanuts, and various kinds of fruit has stimulated the availability of marketable surpluses of all kinds. These find a ready outlet in the six-day market system in all Kabiye villages. Bibliogr., sum. in English and Afrikaans. |