The ongoing 44th Kano International trade fair has attracted traders from within and outside the country, with hundreds of companies in attendance too.
Daily Trust on Sunday, however, observed that most of the traders smiling to the banks are the ones selling ‘kayan mata’ (sex enhancers) as they’ve taken over the place, advertising their wares with banners that have inscriptions like ‘Danbuzu’, ‘mai-jigida’, ‘dare daya wanka goma’, ‘Hajiya Mai karya gado’, ‘Farin cikin amare’ etc.
The turnout of women trooping to the ‘kayan mata’ pavilions seems to increase by the day.
Kayan mata (sex enhancer) as it is popularly known is essentially local herbal preparations (aphrodisiacs). Many people believe that kayan mata is largely used to stimulate sexual feelings among couples.
The product is ancient and widely used but it gained prominence recently due to social media influence.
Before a woman finally goes to her matrimonial home, she is first taken to ‘Wajen Gyaran Jiki’ – a place for preparing her body and normally paid for by the husband. At Wajen Gyaran Jiki, the preparation includes skincare, however kayan mata is also included.
Findings by Daily Trust on Sunday revealed that though the substances were originally prepared to make brides up for marriage; to enjoy sex life during marriage, observers note that the aphrodisiacs are no longer restricted to ladies who are preparing for marriages alone.
According to them, some women use Kayan mata to keep husbands away from other women. And some use it to drive men ‘crazy’ during sex.
Hajiya Yagana Yar Borno says she has been in the business for two decades and her major patronage is from married women who use the products to spice up their sex life with their spouses, as well as mothers who are preparing their children for marriage.
She said the sales compared to previous years is low but she is still making brisk business.
Hajiya Rukayya Yar Sokoto, who said she’s been attending the fair for more than ten years, noted that kayan mata is the solution for ladies who want to impress and drive their husbands ‘crazy’ during sex.
“Kayan mata is good; it has helped many marriages from collapsing.”
She expressed concern over the attitude of the public who oppose the use of kayan mata, observing that the business is challenged by women who hide under the business to only make money but put the lives of fellow women in danger.
“You see, some of us do not really know the business. They went into the business overnight with the intention of only making money. They did not learn how to make the ingredients and don’t care about hygiene. I know we can get money from this business but we shouldn’t forget that we are supposed to help people solve their sexual problems.”
She described the Kano trade fair as gigantic. “The Kano trade fair is the best trade fair in Nigeria. Even if you don’t make sales in other states, when you come to Kano, you will make it. Though we are facing economic hardship but people are still patronising us because they know what they are buying.”
Another seller who simply identified herself as Maman Miriam, says kayan mata is mostly used by ladies or women, noting that men also have their own.
“There are different types of Kayan mata — Gindin ayu, zuman mata, turaren wuta, gumbar kwakwa da madara, sa buzu kuwwa, emergency, tukuxin yar gata, hakin daka, maganin sanyi, Humra, tsimin mata, tsimin tabaje, kaca-kaca and maltinar mata which comes in liquid form, among others.
“There is one that I prepare with chicken and the person will eat it alone; the cost is N45, 000 and the one I prepare with coke which is N65, 000.
“There are some of lower prices such as N1,000, N2,000, N5,000 and N10,000. There are some they can insert in their private parts and there are some they will take with milk. There’s also one that the woman will burn certain herbs and allow the smoke to penetrate her vagina, it depends on what you want or the problem you want to solve.”
She added that Kayan mata has variety of names and functions, depending on the type the person wants.
According to her, there is no dosage but the person must keep to verbal instructions.
Another seller Usaini Danbuzu mai jigida who came from Niger, told Daily Trust on Sunday that he inherited the business from his late father who used to come for the fair many years ago.
“When my dad was alive, we used to come for the fair together. I took over the business after his death. I inherited some of his customers who still come for their daughters and other family members. This shows you how good these Kayan mata are. I am very sure if it had failed, they wouldn’t have come again.
“The patronage is very encouraging, people from different ethnic groups patronise me, not only people from the northern parts of the country.”
He noted that his customers also include single ladies.
Kayan Mata is recommended for every woman who wants to keep her man because it works and has helped many women to sustain their marriages.
“The Kayan Mata sweets are prescribed for them to chew during the day when they are sure they will get together at night; this would create a tingling sensation for the woman and put her in the mood.
“The most popular Kayan Mata products are gumbar nonon rakumi and tsumi. Tsumi is a mixture of herbs and camel’s milk which is effective and strong.”
Many customers who spoke to Daily Trust on Sunday said they were at the fair to buy Kayan mata from these sellers.
“I come to the trade fair annually to buy kayan mata as some of us cannot get them in town after the fair. Many of the sellers come from neighbouring countries or states,” a female customer said.
She also claimed that kayan mata “is good because it makes intimacy more pleasurable. And it earns a woman pride and respect from her partner.”
Another customer who doesn’t want her name to be mentioned said that “I go for intimacy enhancement herbs because some men marry many wives and women use it to satisfy the husband by having an amazing intimate experience.
“I don’t know if there is any side effect because I have not experienced any but a woman should not use it when her husband is not around,” she warns.
“If you want to use kayan mata to enhance your sexual pleasure, it is important to be careful of your sources and what exactly makes up the ingredients,” she cautions.
A male customer who spoke to Daily Trust on Sunday on the condition of anonymity, said he came to buy kayan mata for himself and his wife as it helps them a lot.
“I came here to buy for myself and my wife because it makes our marriage sweeter. Some men who want to keep and enjoy their union encourage their wives or spouses to get kayan mata and I am one of such men.”
According to him, his wife now enjoys their union as her sexual life has improved.
“My partner experienced a problem of excessive dryness but since she started using the product, she gets in the mood quickly. I recommend it to both males and females who have a problem with arousal due to its potency,” he said.
