A Nigerian woman has sparked widespread conversation on social media after describing the roadside sale of bean cakes, popularly known as akara, as one of the most spiritually and physically challenging businesses one can undertake.
In a candid video shared online, the woman cautioned that venturing into the akara trade, especially at night, goes beyond simply frying and selling a local delicacy. According to her, the realities behind the seemingly humble business are far more complex and mysterious than many people realize.
“Only those who have sold akara before will truly understand what I’m saying. It’s not a business you enter with clear eyes, especially if you’re selling it at night. That business — what’s inside it is deeper than the akara itself,” she stated.
She emphasized that her remarks weren’t just based on speculation but on real-life experiences, hinting at unseen forces or cultural practices tied to the trade. Her comments have since gone viral, prompting a flurry of reactions from Nigerians who either echoed her sentiments or questioned the superstition around the age-old business.
Social Media Reactions Pour In
The comments section quickly filled up with Nigerians sharing their own experiences or those of people they know:
- @Ihunanya_chi agreed, writing: “No lies… I experienced it.”
- @warner2021 shared a story that raised eyebrows: “A few years ago, an Igbo guy started selling akara in my area. Business was booming. He sold in front of a three-way junction. Months later, the guy vanished. People say there are incantations you must know before selling akara. It’s a Yoruba business.”
- @Steelonsteel3 took a lighter approach, saying: “What about me wey dey fry akara myself to take drink custard — na witch I be?”
- @IamDrReason recalled a childhood warning: “The way my grandma always talked about this, I’ll never forget it. Maybe it’s different in the city, but in rural areas, you rarely see young people selling akara. It’s mostly elderly women.”
Cultural and Spiritual Undertones
While some dismissed the claims as superstition, others noted that certain traditional trades in Nigeria are often believed to have spiritual or cultural protocols attached to them — especially when practiced in specific locations or under certain conditions, like night-time trading or operating near junctions.
Though akara remains a staple in many Nigerian homes and a source of income for countless women, this conversation has reignited curiosity about the possible cultural implications surrounding what many consider a simple, everyday business.
